Short-handed Gladiators pull out OT win in S.C.

As of Tuesday, February 26, 2013
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Yuri Bouharevich's second pro goal lifted the Gladiators to a 2-1 overtime win Tuesday night at North Charleston Coliseum against the South Carolina Stingrays.

With Doug Jones called up to AHL Texas earlier in the day, the Gladiators were down to just 13 skaters, but pulled out the win to extend their lead atop the South Division to three points. The Stingrays stay five points back in fourth place.

Bouharevich deflected a Ryan Donald shot from the point past goalie Ryan Zapolski 2:38 into the overtime period. The assist was Donald's second of the night, with Corey Fienhage also adding a helper. Gwinnett held South Carolina to just 17 shots, including three in the entire second period.

Jody O'Neill won his second start with the Gladiators, while former Gwinnett keeper Zapolski had his shutout and four-start winning streak snapped.

A spectacular goal by Stingrays forward Ryan Hayes was the only tally of the first 20 minutes. Hayes tipped a centering pass into the net from the far side while falling backwards at 5:31.

In the second period, Coyotes prospect Evan Bloodoff drew Gwinnett even. Taking a feed from Donald, Bloodoff cut down the left wing side and sniped a shot over the glove of Zapolski at 8:15. The marker ended Zapolski's shutout streak at 212 minutes and 32 seconds, approximately 24 minutes shy of the ECHL record.

The Gladiators are next in action at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Florida.

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