ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Rally, Fall to Everblades in Shootout 5-4

January 2, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators scored two goals in the third period to force overtime and a shootout after trailing for most of the game, but couldn't complete the rally, ultimately falling 5-4, as Mike Morrison stopped all five Gladiator shooters, and Paul Healy lit the lamp for the Everblades, who beat Gwinnett for the second straight game. Florida's Kevin Baker, Scott Hotham and Paul Healy each finished with two points on the night, while Pat Galivan had three for the Gladiators and Jason Lawrence and Scott Mifsud each finished with two.

The Everblades struck first at 10:18 of the opening period, when Kevin Baker beat Gwinnett net minder Danny Taylor through traffic from the right faceoff dot on assists from Scott Hotham and Benn Olson.

But Pat Galivan pulled the Gladiators even on his 15th goal of the season just 18 seconds later, sneaking one past Florida goaltender Mike Morrison on the doorstep with assists from Scott Mifsud and recently announced All-Star Drew Paris.

The Everblades restored their one-goal lead on the power play at 14:05 when Paul Healey picked up a rebound in the crease and roofed a shot over Taylor for the 2-1 lead. Michael Forney had been sent off for tripping at 12:18. Scott Hotham collected his second assist of the period, and Bryan Leitch was credited with his first.

The score would remain 2-1 through the end of 20 minutes, with the Everblades holding a 13-11 edge in shots.

The Everblades increased their lead to 3-1 on a 5-on-3 advantage when Sam Roberts and Galian were both serving minor penalties. Ross Carlson finished a series of passes with a one-timer from the left faceoff dot that beat Taylor low on the glove side. Kevin Baker and Ernie Hartlieb had assists on the play.

The Gladiators cut Florida's lead to just one at 14:25 on Jason Lawrence's first power play goal of his pro career. Morrison couldn't handle a tough shot from Aaron Brocklehurst and was caught out of position with the puck bouncing in the crease. Lawrence was in the right place to deposit a shot in the back of the empty net, making the score 3-2.

After two periods of play, Florida retained their shot advantage with a 28-20 margin.

Florida regained a two-goal lead just 26 seconds into the third period. Colin Nicholson slammed home a rebound in the slot that caught Taylor out of position. Paul Healey tallied his third point of the game with an assist, and Mathieu Roy notched his first, also with an assist.

The Gladiators pulled back to within one on Scott Marchesi's second goal of the season. Marchesi took a long outlet pass from Patrick Galivan and broke into the zone on the right wing and fired a wrist shot near the top of the circle. Morrison absorbed the shot, but somehow it would trickle through his pads and just across the goal line, cutting the Everblades' lead to 4-3.

Jason Lawrence tied the game for the Gladiators with his second marker of the night with less than five minutes to play in regulation. Pat Galivan sent a pass through the slot from the right wing to a streaking Lawrence who found the back of the net with a one-timer that ultimately sent the game into overtime. Galivan registered his third assist on the play and Mifsud his second.

A scoreless five-minute overtime period led to a five-man shootout. Mike Morrison stoned all five Gwinnett shooters, and Paul Healy was the only one to find the back of the net for the Everblades, who beat the Gladiators for the second straight game.

The Gladiators went 1-6 on the power play, scoring with the man-advantage for the first time in three games. Florida finished 2-5 with the extra man.

Danny Taylor stopped 34 of 38 Florida shots and fell to 7-5-1-2 on the season, while Mike Morrison improved to 9-9-2-0 with 25 saves on the night.

The Gladiators (15-11-2-2) hit the road to face the Charlotte Checkers (16-10-3-1) in Charlotte Sunday afternoon before returning to the Arena at Gwinnett Center next weekend for two games against the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday and Saturday nights.

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ECHL Stories from January 2, 2010


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