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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Comeback Magic Continues in 3-2 Shootout Win

March 23, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


GREENVILLE, SC - The Gwinnett Gladiators pulled off a dramatic comeback Friday night at the BI-LO Center, knocking off Greenville 3-2 in a shootout to add to their lead atop the South Division and the Eastern Conference. The Gladiators secured home ice for the first round of the playoffs with their win and Wheeling's loss.

Down 2-1 in the third Gwinnett (39-18-7-4) was down to their last gasp, but an elbowing penalty by Justin Bowers coupled with an empty net for the Gladiators gave them a six-on-four advantage.

With just 8.3 seconds left, forward Joey Haddad threw a puck into the crease that ricocheted off Missian's left skate and into the net, tying the game at two. Pat Galivan and Dallas Jackson chipped in assists in Haddad's first game back from the American Hockey League to force the game to overtime.

A scoreless OT session led to a shootout, with both goaltenders standing tall through the first two rounds. In the third round Nikita Kashirsky put Gwinnett ahead, but Kale Kerbashian quickly equalized for Greenville (40-23-2-3) in round four.

In round six Cheverie stopped Bretton Cameron, setting the stage for Tyler Murovich. The Pittsburgh native beat Missiaen through the five-hole with a quick wrist shot, securing the 3-2 win.

Marc Cheverie made 23 saves and turned away five of six Road Warriors in the shutout to secure his eighth win of the season. Jason Missiaen made 30 saves in a losing cause for Greenville.

Gwinnett went 2-for-6 on the power play while holding Greenville to 0-for-2. The loss was only Greenville's third when leading after two periods this season (21-1-1-1).

The lone tally of a fast-paced, physical opening period came off the stick of Road Warriors forward Sean Berkstresser, as his 11th of the season at 11:53 gave Greenville a 1-0 edge.

Brandon Wong's third short-handed goal in the last two games early in the second added to the Warriors lead at the 2:50 mark, but the Gladiators had an answer.

Former Dartmouth forward Doug Jones, playing in his first pro game, hammered home a rebound off a Matt MacKenzie point shot to bring the Gladiators back within one. Dallas Jackson had the other assist on the Marietta, GA native's power play goal at 12:45. Jones finished the night with the tally on five shots on goal.

With Gwinnett clinching a top four seed in the playoffs they will host home games on Friday April 6th (7:05 p.m.), April 8th (2:05 p.m.), and April 9th (7:05 p.m.) at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

The Gladiators are next in action Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against Greenville at the BI-LO Center.

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