Gwinnett Gladiators drop 3-2 Shootout Decision to Stingrays

In the second home game in as many nights, the Gwinnett Gladiators dropped a 3-2 decision, losing in a shootout to the South Carolina Stingrays in front of a season high 11,072 fans at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The game was Josh Johnson's first in goal for Gwinnett, taking on his former team in his debut. Johnson made 22 saves in the losing effort.

Gladiator defensemen Scott Marchesi opened the scoring just 2:02 into the first period. After Jordan Fox broke up a Stingray possession at center ice, Marchesi picked up the loose puck, skated in alone, and put it past goaltender Michal Neuvirth on a nifty move for his second goal of the season.

Chris Cava excited the home crowd later in the first, fighting Stingray Sasha Pokulok. The two exchanged blows before Cava knocked his opponent to the ice. Both received five for fighting.

With just over 5 minutes left in the period, Gwinnett went on the power play after a hooking call. They could not take advantage however, and the Stingrays tied the game on a 2 on 1 shorthanded breakaway goal. Maxime Lacroix scored the equalizing tally, and Sasha Pokulok and Travis Morin picked up the assists.

The score stayed tied until 10:33 of the second. The Gladiators had the man advantage and converted for the first power play goal of the game. After a long offensive possession, Dirk Southern held the puck behind the net, and found an open Pat Bateman in the slot who put it home for his fourth of the year. Josh Engel was also credited with an assist.

South Carolina again tied the game with 5:44 left in the middle stanza. After a battle at the right wing boards, Stingray forward Steve Pinizzotto grabbed the puck and fired a shot from the faceoff circle. Netminder Josh Johnson got a piece of the puck, but it squirted past to make the score 2-2.

Less than a minute into the third period, South Carolina had a penalty shot after Jeff Mason hooked Michael Dubuc who had a clear path to net. With everyone in the building on their feet, Dubuc tried to put the shot in on Josh Johnson's stick side, but the Gwinnett goalie blocked it away to keep the score tied.

With about 7 minutes left in the game, Gwinnett had a 46 second 5-on-3 chance, but was not able to score. Stingray goalie Michal Neuvirth kept the score tied with a few highlight reel saves, including batting away a puck out of the air from the goal line.

Neither team was able to score in the extra frame, and the two teams went to the shootout. Jordan Fox became the first Gladiator to score a shootout goal this season, but South Carolina won with a 2-1 advantage.

The Gladiators have outshot their opponents every game this season, and did so again tonight, with 48 shots compared to 25 for the Stingrays.

The loss drops Gwinnett to 3-4-0-3 on the season, while South Carolina improves to 8-2-0-0.

The Gladiators continue the 2008-09 season on Wednesday, November 19th as they host the Dayton Bombers at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 p.m.
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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