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Gladiators Spoil Checkers Opener

November 1, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL) - Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gladiators surrendered the first goal of the game, but gained yet another overtime victory. Charlotte got their home opener started the right way with a goal early on in the first, but the Gladiators managed to force overtime and gain the victory.

After a high scoring 1st period on Friday night, things settled down a little bit to start off the game today. Only one goal was scored in the first period, coming off the stick of Michael Leveille. Tyler Doig carried the puck into the zone along the right side of the slot, and fired a wrister just wide of the net. Leveille did a great job of following up the shot and found the puck as it bounced off the end boards. Leveille corralled the loose puck and shot inside the right post for the goal.

Each team would get a few powerplay chances afterwards, but the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Checkers going into the first intermission.

The Gladiators were able to find their offensive game in the second period with a pair of Powerplay goals. The first of those came at the 9:01 mark of the 2nd period. Brad Schell was able to control the puck at the top of the slot and worked it to Mifsud on the right post. Mifsud one-timed a pass over to a wide-open Patrick Galivan who was able tap it in for a 5-on-3 powerplay goal.

The Gladiators were able to score another powerplay goal later on in the period as Drew Paris fired a shot from the top of the slot through traffic and into the back of the net. Scott Mifsud and Brad Schell each collected their 2nd assists of the night on the goal at 13:55 of the second.

The score would remain 2-1 until about half-way through the 3rd period when Tyler Doig was able to pick the corner over goaltender Danny Taylor's left shoulder. Doig found himself wide open on the right half-wall after receiving a pass from Mike Taylor. Also assisting on the play was Kenny Roche.

It would only take three and half minutes for Charlotte to ride that momentum to their 3rd goal. A long wrist shot from the point by T.J. Reynolds popped off the shoulder of Danny Taylor and then bounced into the net. Mike Taylor and Matt Schepke assisted on Reynold's first of the season.

The Gladiators powerplay continued to click when Tom Zanoski buried a snap-shot from the right wing. Zanoski received a pass from Sam Roberts and led the Gladiators on a 3-on-1 rush. Zanoski saw an opening and fired one low to tie the game.

Gwinnett killed off three penalties at the end of the third period, including a 5-on-3, to send the game into overtime for the fifth straight game. After killing off 1:30 of a 4-3 against them, the Gladiators were able to put some pressure on the Checkers and draw a penalty of their own. Mifsud would add his 2nd overtime powerplay goal of the season after a one-timer from Brad Schell kicked off the leg pad of Billy Sauer. Mifsud found the rebound and gave the Gladiators an overtime victory.

The Gladiators improved to 4-1-1-1 on the year while Charlotte fell to 3-2-0-0


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