The Gladiators saw an early two goal advantage evaporate in the second period as Brandon Buck notched a Natural Hat Trick. Gwinnett's Tim Miller would answer to force overtime, where Adam Berti would strike for the Gladiators for the win.It took nearly the full first period, but the Gladiators were able to get on the scoreboard first as Chad Denny struck for Gwinnett. Just moments after Danny Taylor turned aside Mathieu Roy's great scoring chance, the Gladiators were able to work the puck into the attacking zone. Matt Francis tipped the puck up to Denny, who fired a shot from the left wing circle. Denny got his own rebound, wrapped around the net and slid the puck inside the right post. The goal came at the 18:59 mark of the first period.
Gwinnett kept attacking after gaining the lead as they were able to strike again before the end of the period. Mike McLean dumped a puck into the attacking zone that bounced off a stick and deflected on goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu. Beckford-Tseu made the initial stop, but he could not locate the rebound as McLean crashed the net and banged the rebound home. The goal was assisted by Tim Miller and Dan Sullivan and came with just 35 seconds remaining.
Florida was able to get on the board at the 9:35 mark of the second period as Brandon Buck struck with the man advantage. Buck received a pass on the right wing side and was able to walk into the right circle. Buck fired a shot that just squeaked past Danny Taylor and into the back of the net. Ross Carlson and Roy received assists on the play.
Buck would strike again to tie the game with an even strength goal at the 17:02 mark of the second period. A strong forecheck from the Everblades allowed Ross Carlson to dig a puck free behind the Gladiator's net. Carlson found Buck at the side of the net, and he circled in front and tucked a shot just under the pads of Taylor to even the score. Shea Guthrie also assisted on the goal.
Buck would add a third goal for the natural hat trick to put Florida up by one goal before the intermission. Two quick outlet passes from Benn Olson and Guthrie allowed Buck to fly past the Gladiator defense and blast a shot past the blocker of Taylor and into the net.
The Gladiators were outshot 11-5 in the second period.
There was no scoring in the third period until Mike McLean added his second goal of the night. A mad scramble behind the net saw the puck pop out along the goal line. McLean was able to dig it free and deposited it in the back of the net and forced an overtime period.
The Gladiator's Captain Adam Berti played the part of the hero striking at the 3:11 mark in overtime to seal the victory for Gwinnett. Berti and Higgins completed a give-and-go in the neutral zone allowing Berti to walk in along the left side. Berti carried the puck into the slot and picked the water bottle of the top right corner of the net to win the game for Gwinnett.
The Gladiators improved to 23-19-3-2 on the year and Florida fell to 24-19-2-5.
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ECHL Stories from February 9, 2010
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