Now, we have a series. The South Carolina Stingrays and Atlanta Gladiators lock horns at the Gas South District tied at 1 in their 1st round playoff series

When we released our preview article on the 1st round ECHL Playoff series between the South Carolina Stingrays and Atlanta Gladiators, we labelled it as an "Even Steven" (click HERE to read our preview) based on how evenly matched the teams are, starting with the 1 point which separates them in the South Division standings.

As the series shifts to the Gas South District for Games 3 and 4 (April 27th and 28th respectively with the puck dropping at 7:10pm EST on both nights), we have a series.

Although South Carolina opens with home-ice advantage, Atlanta comes away with a split. In Game 1 of the series (on April 24th), the Glads jump out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Stingrays' 3-goal in a row streak is just enough to hold on for a 3-2 win despite the efforts of Adam Eisele's 2 goal effort (including a shorthanded goal) as the teams combine for 15 penalties (including 6 inside the last 2 minutes of the game). For Game 2 of the series (on April 25th), Atlanta gets off to a fast start in scoring first, and thanks to their 3-goal in a row run, hold on for a 4-3 win despite being outshot by a 25 to 17 margin, marking their first playoff win in 13 years (when they are formerly the Gwinnett Gladiators).

As noted, this series is living up to its billing as arguably the most evenly matched playoff series of the first round:

• After 2 games, both teams have scored the same number of goals (6 apiece).

• Both teams have won their games by 1 goal.

After 2 games, the Glads have 4 players generating a point per game, as Chad Nychuk (1 goal/3 assists/4 points/+2 rating, Adam Eisele (3 goals/0 assists/3 points/+4 rating), Jack O'Brien (1 goal/1 assist/2 points/+1 rating), and Isak Walther (1 goal/1 assist/2 points/0 rating) are setting the early tone on offense. The Stingrays have 5 players doing the same, as Justin Nachbaur (1 goal/2 points/3 assists/+1 rating), Charlie Combs (2 goals/0 assists/2 points/+3 rating), Jalen Luypen (1 goal/1 assist/2 points/+1 rating), Stanley Cooley (0 goals/2 assists/2 points/+3 rating), and Kyler Kupka (0 goals/2 assists/2 points/0 rating) are providing the early offensive presence. South Carolina's Garin Bjorklund is between the pipes for both games (1-1-0-0/3.05 goals allowed average/.875 save percentage) while Atlanta's top-15 goaltending tandem of Ethan Haider (0-1-0-0/3.15 goals allowed average/.900 save percentage) and T.J. Semptimphelter (1-0-0-0/3.00 goals allowed aveerage/.880 save percentage) are doing their part in keeping the matchup close.

Closely matched teams during the regular season, both teams are clearly ramping up their level of play, making this a closely contested and heated playoff matchup.

Playoff hockey is different.

And now, we have a series.

Notes: Playoff tickets for Games 3 and 4 are available online (click HERE for more details). If necessary, Game 6 returns to the Gas South District on May 4th (7:10pm EST puck drop). The game recap flyers are created by the South Carolina Stingrays and Atlanta Gladiators; the game photo is from asnortonccs (from the March 15, 2026 regular season matchup between the teams).