Stingrays hand Gladiators first overtime loss of season with 3-2 win
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 23, 2026) — The South Carolina Stingrays scored in overtime to defeat the Atlanta Gladiators 3-2 on Friday night at North Charleston Coliseum, handing Atlanta its first overtime loss of the season.
John Fusco netted the game-winning goal 5:12 into overtime off a feed from Josh Wilkins to secure the victory for the Stingrays.
Atlanta opened the scoring late in the first period. Isak Walther recorded his 14th goal of the season with 1:51 remaining, finishing a play set up by Chad Nychuk for a 1-0 lead after one period. Both teams were held scoreless on multiple power-play chances earlier in the period, including a two-minute 5-on-3 advantage for South Carolina.
The Stingrays responded in the second. Ludwig Persson tied the game 4:46 into the period with help from Ryan Hofer. South Carolina took a 2-1 lead with 1:48 left in the frame when Patrick Guzzo scored in transition off assists from Romain Rodzinski and Stan Cooley.
Atlanta pulled even in the third period. With 9:04 remaining in regulation, Nychuk drove toward the net and Rodzinski redirected the puck in for the tying goal. Kalan Lind and Jack Matier earned assists. The Gladiators controlled much of the third period, outshooting the Stingrays 10-1, but could not find the go-ahead goal.
Fusco’s overtime winner sealed the result despite extended chances for both teams in the extra period.
T.J. Semptimphelter made 25 saves on 28 shots for Atlanta, while South Carolina’s Seth Eisele stopped 30 of 32 shots. The Gladiators went 0-for-4 on the power play but were perfect on the penalty kill, stopping all three Stingrays opportunities.
