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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Burned by Fluky Play, Fall 2-1

February 20, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Playing the second-ranked team in the Eastern Conference, the Gladiators (16-30-3-1) played a competitive and tight game, looking to take their match to overtime for the second time in as many games. Due to a fluky clearing attempt by Kent Patterson in the final minutes, though, the Fort Wayne Komets (34-12-1-3) took the 2-1 win on Friday night.

Despite a heavily-slanted 16-4 shot differential in the final period, the Gladiators hung tough with the Komets and appeared poised to take the game to overtime. With two minutes remaining in regulation, Fort Wayne dumped the puck behind Patterson on a routine play. The goaltender went behind the net to play it on a blind backhand clear out past the right half-boards. Before it could clear, former Gladiator Mike Embach jumped up to steal it and quickly wrist the puck underneath the crossbar before Patterson could recover to the netfront, giving Fort Wayne the 2-1 lead at 17:58, and the win.

Gwinnett came out strong early on, with a 6-1 shots advantage through the first five minutes of the game. But the speedy Komets were the first ones on the board with a power play goal from J.M. Rizk at 11:31. Rizk received a cross-ice pass from Drew Daniels, and the forward was able to tip the one-timer over the outstretched glove of Patterson.

The Gladiators continued to play well through the rest of the first and second periods, finally tying the score midway through the game. On Gwinnett's second power play of the night, Casey Pierro-Zabotel took a slap shot from the right point, slicing the puck through traffic. Roman Will was able to get his right pad on the puck and kick out the rebound to the far circle, where Brenden Walker was waiting to slam the puck back in over the right shoulder of Will at 10:39.

Patterson played another strong game in the crease despite the third period misplay, making 40 saves on 42 shots against. On the opposite side, Roman Will made 24 saves on the 25 shots he saw.

The two teams will face off for one more game tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on http://www.gwinnettgladiators.com/radio and WDUN.com, starting at 7:15. Gwinnett will return to The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Saturday, March 7th for $5 Frenzy Night - Mesh Replica Jerseys against the South Carolina Stingrays.

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.

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