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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Everblades Slither Past Gladiators, 5-3

December 19, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


ESTERO, Fla. - The Gladiators were not able to hang on to their two goal, first period lead for the second time in two games, as they fell to the Florida Everblades, 5-3 Friday night at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. J.P. Labardo tallied two goals in the effort, and is up to three goals in his last two games.

Just like on Wednesday, the Gladiators jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the Everblades. Bo Dolan opened things up on a sharp wristshot from the right circle at 1:08 that beat goaltender Andy Iles in the upper right corner, from newest Gladiators Jordon Southorn and Travis Ouellette. Southorn took the initial shot from the far point, Iles made the save, and the rebound kicked out to Dolan for the quick shot.

J.P. Labardo doubled up the score with his second goal in as many games played at 12:35. Casey Pierro-Zabotel started the play behind the net, centering one off to Labardo again from the right circle, and the rookie forward banked it off the far post past Iles' stick.

And just like Wednesday, Florida would come back with two unanswered goals to tie the score. First Adam Brace scored his 12th of the season on the Everblades' second power play of the night at 15:32 of the first. Gwinnett would enter the first intermission with the lead, and play most of the second with that 2-1 advantage, but Jeff Costello would even the score at two with a four-on-four goal at 15:19. Costello received the lead pass from Brant Harris, and entered the zone on a 2-on-0 break along with Artem Sergeev.

In the third, Florida took a lead that they would not relinquish. At 1:08, Sergeev took a quick shot while keeping the puck in Florida's offensive zone at the right point, and bounced one off the ice and into the net. Four minutes after that, Mitch Wahl flipped the puck over Mark Guggenberger's right shoulder from a low angle.

Labardo made things interesting with his second goal of the night at 9:57, sniping another from the right circle. Gwinnett fought to tie up the score, but, again, just like Wednesday, they could not get the equalizer. Former Gladiator Evan Bloodoff scored an empty net goal for Florida with 0.1 seconds on the clock to end the night.

The Gladiators will return to The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Sunday, December 21st for a 2:05 p.m. tilt against the Orlando Solar Bears.

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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