ECHL: Atlanta Gladiators vs South Carolina Stingrays | 11/14/2025

Tonight’s matchup between the Atlanta Gladiators and the South Carolina Stingrays features two South Division teams trending in the right direction — but built in completely different ways.

Atlanta enters as the top team in the ECHL with a league-best .889 point percentage (8–1–0) and the stingiest defense in hockey, allowing just 15 goals through nine games—the fewest in the league. Their identity is built on structure: disciplined breakouts, tight defensive layers, and steady goaltending in every situation.

The Gladiators’ goaltending picture shifted this weekend. Ethan Haider was recalled to Milwaukee (AHL) after a stellar 4–1–0 start. Logan Stein signed an SPC to reinforce the crease. Despite the change, Atlanta hasn’t missed a beat. Their goalies have combined for a .930 save percentage, the best in the league and the backbone of their success. Offensively, Alex Young, Louis Boudon, and Cody Sylvester lead the attack. Meanwhile, Jack Matier and Chad Nychuk anchor one of the conference’s most reliable blue lines.

South Carolina enters hot at 7–3–0 (.700), riding a three-game win streak. They were also climbing into the South Division race. The Stingrays thrive on pace and offensive pressure, averaging 3.40 goals per game. The come in to the game with strong contributions from veterans and emerging scorers alike.

Lineups

Atlanta Gladiators Starting Lineup

Forwards: Carson Denomie (18), Mike McNamee (27), Isak Walther (22)
Defense: Andrew Jarvis (6), Brendan Less (2)
Goaltender: T.J. Semptimphelter (35)

South Carolina Stingrays Starting Lineup

Forwards: Josh Wilkins (15), Kyler Kupka (18), Kaden Bohlsen (26)
Defense: Romain Rodzinski (2), Reilly Webb (9)
Goaltender: Mitchell Gibson (34)

First Period

Alanta came out flying once the puck dropped. The opening shift from Carson Denomie, Mike McNamee, and Isak Walther set the tone. Off a simple dump-in, McNamee worked the puck behind the net and tried to stuff it through the crease, with Denomie jamming at the rebound before Gibson smothered it just 19 seconds in.

Atlanta carried that momentum forward. The Boudon–Sylvester–Francis line forced South Carolina into extended defending, with Boudon winning battles along the wall and Francis driving the middle lane. Chad Nychuk stood out at the blue line, twice batting clearing attempts out of the air to hold the zone and create more pressure on Gibson.

As expected from two of the South’s best, both goaltenders were sharp. Gibson, fresh off being named ECHL Goaltender of the Week, calmly turned aside everything early, including a clean look from Mickey Burns off the rush and a high-slot chance from Jack Matier that he kicked away with the right pad. At the other end, T.J. Semptimphelter—one of the league’s early leaders in goals-against average and save percentage—tracked pucks cleanly through limited traffic.

Midway

Midway through the period, the Gladiators stuck to Matt Ginn’s game plan of “making the Stingrays defend.” Ethan Scardina drove the puck deep to force turnovers, while Ryan Conroy jumped into the play and fired just over the crossbar after a slick drop pass from Kalan Lind. Atlanta’s forecheck was relentless, pinning South Carolina for long stretches and building an 8–1 shot advantage.

South Carolina answered with its best push of the frame. A stretch pass sent Josh Wilkins in alone, and he nearly scored on a backhand, but Semptimphelter flashed the pad. Later, the Stingrays rang one off the post, drawing a roar from the crowd as the puck stayed out.

Physical play picked up late. With 4:02 left, Lind was called for roughing after a post-whistle scrum, giving South Carolina the first full power play of the night. Atlanta’s penalty kill—Brendan Less, Andrew Jarvis, Denomie, and Joey Cipollone—stood tall, clearing lanes and forcing outside looks. Semptimphelter made one key save through traffic before the Gladiators cleared again to finish the kill.

In the final minute, Atlanta pushed back. Walther carried wide, dropped to Denomie, and found Conroy jumping into the slot for a dangerous chance. Gibson somehow held, spinning and falling backward to keep the puck out. The period ended scoreless with tempers simmering, setting up a tense second frame between two teams that know each other well.

End of 1st Period Stats

Score: Atlanta 0 – South Carolina 0
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 11 – South Carolina 7
Power Plays: Atlanta 0/1 | South Carolina 0/1
Penalties: ATL – Lind (Roughing, 15:58); SC – Webb (Roughing, 20:00)
Goaltenders: ATL – Semptimphelter (7 SV on 7); SC – Gibson (11 SV on 11)

Second Period

AThe middle frame opened with an early opportunity for Atlanta, as the Gladiators began the period on the power play following Webb’s roughing minor at the end of the first. The top unit generated looks immediately, including a shot from Francis that soared high off a stick and a quick in-tight chance by Joey Cipollone. But Mitchell Gibson stayed locked in, turning aside everything the Gladiators threw at him.

South Carolina threatened with a shorthanded break, forcing T.J. Semptimphelter into a sharp backhand save on Jalen Luypen. Atlanta pushed back with pace on the regroup, but despite strong puck movement through Nychuk, Sylvester, and Young, they couldn’t convert before the penalty expired.

The period then shifted into a heavy, physical battle. Both teams traded rushes—Atlanta with controlled entries sparked by Burns, Nychuk, and Nolan; South Carolina with their speed game through the neutral zone. Semptimphelter delivered one of his biggest stops of the night when he denied Lipkin on a clean breakaway, tracking the low shot and kicking it out with authority to settle the bench.

But the breakthrough came at 9:54, and it came off the type of play South Carolina had been trying to execute all night.

GOAL (9:54, 2nd): South Carolina — Kyler Kupka (5) — from Josh Wilkins