Gladiators Wreck Season Opener for the Rays, 6-2
October 22, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
The Gwinnett Gladiators dominated in their home opener against the South Carolina Stingrays in front of more than 10,000 fans Friday night. The Gladiators are now 6-0-2 in home openers at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
The Stingrays controlled the pace early in the first period, producing the first goal at 4:16 mark on a powerplay goal from Nikita Kashirsky after Gladiators Paul Flache was called for interference. However, the Gladiators quickly responded when Derek Nesbitt tied the game with a sniper shot over the shoulder of goalie Todd Ford halfway through the first period. At the end of 20 minutes the two teams were tied at one.
The Gladiators controlled the second period and scored the go ahead goal 5:30 in. Rookie forward Aaron Bendickson connected with Nesbitt for the second time on the night for Nesbitt's second goal.
The potential third goal was waived off due to goaltender interference, but the Gladiators struck back less than a minute later when Michael Davies fired one in the net. It was Davies first game of the season after he missed the opening road trip.
Nesbitt completed his hat trick with yet another short-handed goal coming from another set up from Bendickson. Bendickson completed the night with four assists and the Gladiators had a 4-1 lead.
The Gladiators weren't done when a fourth goal was scored, coming off the stick of veteran defenseman Paul Flache. As he took a pass to the high point and fired a shot past Ford to chase the goaltender of the year in the ECHL last season.
Kashirsky scored his second of the night in the third to make it a three goal game, but with only 19 seconds left Matt Francis sent the fans out on a high note with a powerplay goal to cap a 6-2 win.
The Gladiators second home game of the season is Saturday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in a rematch against the Florida Everblades.
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ECHL Stories from October 22, 2010
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