Stingrays' McNeely and Bishop Each Record Three Points in Loss t - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Forwards Tyler McNeely (two goals, one assist) and Hunter Bishop (one goal, two assists) each recorded three-point games, but the South Carolina Stingrays (13-16-1-3) could not overcome the Gwinnett Gladiators (20-10-1-0), falling 5-3 at The Arena at Gwinnett Center Thursday evening. 

Gladiators forward Doug Jones opened the scoring with his team-leading 11th goal of the season at 15:06 of the first period tipping a pass under Stingrays goaltender Jeff Jakaitis (L, 19 saves on 23 shots). 

Forward Andy Brandt made it a 2-0 Gladiators lead at 6:14 of the second frame. McNeely cut the lead in half on the power play moments later tapping a pass from Bishop past the blocker of Gladiators netminder Louis Domingue (W, 15 saves on 18 shots). Forward Robby Dee added the second assist. Bishop tied the contest at 18:02 with help from McNeely and Dee. 

The Gladiators reclaimed a two-goal advantage behind goals from rookie Evan Bloodoff and defenseman Russ Sinkewich 23 seconds apart at 12:06 and 12:29 of the third period. McNeely pulled it back within one at 13:22 from Bishop, but Gladiators forward Scott Arnold sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:58. The Stingrays finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play while the Gladiators went 0-for-1. 

The Stingrays wrap up a four-game road trip Friday, December 28 at 7:05 p.m. against the Gladiators at The Arena at Gwinnett Center and return to the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday, December 29 at 7:05 p.m. to host the Wheeling Nailers. Celebrate the holidays with over 200 men and women of our armed forces on Ft. Jackson Holdover Troops Night presented by the USO and Verizon.