The Atlanta Gladiators’ season came to an end Monday night at Gas South Arena, falling 3-1 to the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 6 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. A late empty-net goal sealed it—and marked the final game of Cody Sylvester’s professional career.
From the jump, the intensity was there.
Atlanta got an early power play just 31 seconds in after a goaltender interference call, but couldn’t capitalize. Another opportunity came at 10:48 following a tripping penalty to Ryan Hofer, but South Carolina’s penalty kill held strong again.
The breakthrough finally came late in the first.
With 5:27 left, Jack O’Brien took advantage of a turnover and buried it unassisted to give the Gladiators a 1-0 lead, bringing the crowd to life. But South Carolina answered right back. With 2:01 remaining, Stanley Cooley evened things up off assists from Connor Moore and Dean Loukus, swinging momentum heading into the break.
A late interference call on Jack Matier sent Atlanta to the penalty kill to close the period, and after one, it was tied 1-1 with South Carolina slightly ahead in shots, 11-9.
Atlanta came out in the second still killing off time—and did just that. They followed it up with another strong kill after Mike McNamee was called for hooking early in the period.
But eventually, the Stingrays broke through.
At 8:26, Romain Rodzinski netted his third goal of the series to give South Carolina a 2-1 lead, with assists from Justin Nachbaur and D.J. King.
Atlanta had a late power play chance with just seconds left in the period after a hooking call on Kyler Kupka, setting up a carryover into the third—but couldn’t turn it into anything. After two, South Carolina led 2-1 and continued to edge the shot count.
The third period was all push from Atlanta—but nothing to show for it.
They opened with power play time but couldn’t convert, continuing a tough night on the man advantage. The game got more physical as time went on, including matching roughing penalties between Jack Matier and Charlie Combs.
Another power play opportunity came midway through the period, but again, the Stingrays’ penalty kill came up big.
With time running out, Atlanta pulled T.J. Semptimphelter for the extra attacker in a last effort to extend the season. Instead, Jalen Luypen found the empty net with 1:46 left to make it 3-1.
The Gladiators had one final look with a 6-on-4 advantage late, but a holding penalty to Chad Nychuk shut that door completely.
Final shots were nearly even—South Carolina 30, Atlanta 29—but the difference came down to execution in key moments.
And just like that, the season ends.
It also marks the end of Cody Sylvester’s career—a veteran presence who meant a lot to this locker room over the past five seasons and leaves the game with respect across the board
