Gladiators Escape Late Push by 'Blades to Win, 2-1

February 1, 2019 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release

DULUTH, Ga. - Derek Nesbitt tallied the game-winning goal on the penalty kill late in the second period, and Sean Bonar made 28 saves to help the Atlanta Gladiators fend off the Florida Everblades, 2-1, on Thursday night at Infinite Energy Arena.

Atlanta (15-19-6-1, 37 pts.) scored the first two goals of the game and withstood a ferocious push by Florida (31-9-5-0, 67 pts.) in the third period to beat the 'Blades at home for the first time in 25 games.

Atlanta scored first on a tally from defenseman Olivier Galipeau less than five minutes into the opening period. With Florida trying to clear its own zone, Galipeau tracked down the puck in the high slot and immediately released a slap shot that beat Florida goaltender Jamie Phillips low on the blocker side.

Nesbitt then helped move his team's lead to two goals in the last three minutes of the second period. On a shorthanded rush, Nesbitt's initial shot from the left wing was blocked by traffic in front, but he got it back and fired it past Phillips from the left circle with 2:53 remaining in the middle stanza.

Florida came out strong in the third period and outshot Atlanta by nine in the final frame as it tried to claw back.

Matt Finn closed the gap to just one goal less than nine minutes into the final period of regulation. With Florida cycling in the offensive zone, Blake Winiecki carried the puck up the right-wing wall and fired a cross-ice pass through the left circle. After the puck bounced off the far wall, Finn gathered it in the left circle and hammered a shot past Bonar to cut the deficit in half at the 8:10 mark of the third.

Florida then pulled Phillips in the last two minutes and had several quality chances to tie the game, but Bonar stood tall to preserve the win for Atlanta.

Phillips finished with 25 saves and fell to 17-6-2-0 on the year.

Florida will try to close the weekend with a victory when it faces the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

-

Single-game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now!

Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are still on sale! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits!

SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford's Garage and an Everblades tote bag!

Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today!

Florida Everblades forward Michael Neville handles the puck against the Atlanta Gladiators (Kevin Bires Photography)

ECHL Stories from February 1, 2019

• Americans Fall to Idaho 6-3 - Allen Americans
• Carr, Grizzlies Blank Wichita 4-0 - Utah Grizzlies
• Thompson Provides Second Consecutive Game-Winner for Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
• Mavs Win Third Straight, Shutout South Carolina 4-0 - Kansas City Mavericks
• Mavericks Blank Stingrays in Series Opener - South Carolina Stingrays
• Admirals Extend Unbeaten Streak to Four with 4-2 Win over IceMen - Norfolk Admirals
• Carr, Grizzlies Blank Thunder, 4-0 - Wichita Thunder
• Steelheads Stand Strong in 6-3 Win over Americans - Idaho Steelheads
• Cyclones Survive Late Push to Double up Rush - Cincinnati Cyclones
• Dufour's Dagger Gives Indy Overtime Win in Wheeling - Indy Fuel
• Orlando Breaks Greenville's Heart - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
• Royals Fall at Adirondack, 4-2 - Reading Royals
• Pleskach Nets Hat Trick as Oilers Win in Toledo - Tulsa Oilers
• Chase, McNicholas Have Multipoint Nights as Mariners Pelt Season High 43 Shots - Maine Mariners
• Thunder Score Four Straight in Third to Top Royals 4-2 - Adirondack Thunder
• Monarchs Bounce Back with 3-2 Win over Mariners - Manchester Monarchs
• Fuel Escape on Close Play in Overtime - Wheeling Nailers
• Calls Don't Go Worcester's Way in 5-2 Loss in Newfoundland - Worcester Railers HC
• Railers Run out off Gas, Growlers Win 5-2 - Newfoundland Growlers
• G Callum Booth Reassigned to Royals - Reading Royals
• Florida's Roe Is AMI Graphics/ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - ECHL
• Roe Named AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - Florida Everblades
• Komets Acquire Clarke from Allen, Campagna Loaned to Chicago - Fort Wayne Komets
• Allen Americans Game Capsule , Garrett Clarke Dealt to Fort Wayne - Allen Americans
• Solar Bears Bring in Manny Gialedakis - Orlando Solar Bears
• ECHL Transactions - February 1 - ECHL
• Game Preview: Solar Bears at Swamp Rabbits - Orlando Solar Bears
• Mitch Maxwell Returns to Grizzlies - Utah Grizzlies
• Mariners and Resurrection Golf Announce "Fore Pack" - Maine Mariners
• Mark Cooper and Mike McMurtry Return from AHL Duty - Kansas City Mavericks
• Nailers vs. Fuel Game Day Snap Shot, February 1 - Wheeling Nailers
• Kevin Lough Recalled from Loan by Chicago - Adirondack Thunder
• Binnington Is the MeiGray Group/ECHL Alumnus of the Month - ECHL
• Game Day: Royals at Thunder Looking for Season-Series Edge - Reading Royals
• Gladiators Escape Late Push by 'Blades to Win, 2-1 - Florida Everblades

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.

Other Recent Florida Everblades Stories

• Anthony Peters Hired as Head Coach and General Manager of Reading Royals
• Florida Everblades and DASH Celebrate Record-Breaking Partnership for 2024-25 ECHL Season
• Everblades Announce Protected Players
• Florida Everblades Front Office Earns Seven ECHL Team Award Nominations
• Everblades' Quest for 4th Straight Kelly Cup Ends in ECF Game Six