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Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Beat Bears in OT, 4-3

March 27, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - After a solid first period of play and taking the initial lead, the newly refurbished Gladiators (18-41-4-3) bested the Orlando Solar Bears (34-23-5-4) in overtime on Friday night, 4-3. Jeff Silengo scored the winning overtime goal, while Greg Carey tallied a goal and an assist and Mike Merrifield scored his first goal this season.

After tying up the score in the waning minutes of the third period, the Gladiators threatened several times early in overtime before scoring the game-winner, less than two minutes into the extra frame. Greg Carey possessed the puck behind Orlando's net, and looked up to see Jeff Silengo crashing in on goal from the point. Silengo received the puck from Carey, and in one fluid motion, wristed it past Maxime Clermont to give the home team the victory.

For as good as the Gladiators played in the final minutes of the game, they looked even better in the game's opening minutes. On Gwinnett's first goal, Zach Yuen composed the puck in the left faceoff circle before sending it through the slot to Greg Carey waiting deep on right flank. Carey smashed the puck right past Clermont on a step-up wrist shot at 1:49 of the first.

Only a few minutes later, at 7:55, the home team found themselves up by two after complete chaos ensued in front of Orlando's goal. Mike Merrifield was the last man into the scrum, crashing the net after the Gladiators sent in a hectic flurry of shots at Clermont. His bounce shot goal was his first goal of the season.

The Gladiators kept the Solar Bears down to an impressive five shots on goal in the first period, but Orlando was able to slip one in past Mike Lee to break the score in half. Eric Baier slapped in a shot from deep in the left faceoff circle at 13:34 to put the opposition the board.

The second period began quietly, but Orlando stormed back as the period went on, doubling their shots on goal as well as evening the score. Brett Findlay managed to just barely slip the puck between Lee and the near post at 11:55 to even the score at two.

A mere 38 seconds into the third period, Bryce Aneloski sent an absolute bullet into the net from out on the right wing on the power play. The game quieted down from there, and then seemingly out of nowhere, the Gladiators roared back into the game. With less than five minutes remaining, Jason Wilson bolted right towards the far post off the Gladiators faceoff win. The puck followed him and somehow managed to get by Clermont, deflecting off of Wilson's body at 15:19.

The Gladiators will look to continue their momentum as they face the Greenville Road Warriors tomorrow, March 27th, at 7:05 p.m. Come join the Gladiators for a fun-filled Saturday night, as it is Star Wars AND "Girls Gone Gladiator" Night at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. The team will also have their final $5 Frenzy of the season, featuring Gladiator Dry-Fit shirts that will be sold only during tomorrow's game.

For tickets and schedule information, visit the official team website at www.gwinnettgladiators.com or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league, and are affiliated with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth - where parking is always free.

As Atlanta's "One and Only" professional hockey team, the Gladiators have established an extraordinary winning tradition and unrivaled commitment to excellence, maintaining a distinctive reputation for affordable and family-friendly sports entertainment. The Gladiators are consistently ranked as one of the top "Things To Do" in the Atlanta area and across the North Georgia region.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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