Gladiators Rally to Conquer Everblades 6-4
April 1, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Florida Everblades News Release
ESTERO, FL- Derek Nesbitt scored two goals and an assist to lead the Atlanta Gladiators to the 6-4 victory over the Florida Everblades Friday night at Germain Arena. The Gladiators snap a four-game winning streak by the Everblades.
The Everblades jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period scoring the first tally at 5:24 into the first period on a power play opportunity. Matt Marquardt's one-timer from the right wing circle gave the Everblades the 1-0 lead.
Right before the halfway point of the opening period Jon DiSalvatore blasted a shot on goal where it was batted in front by Corey Cowick past Matt Ginn giving the Everblades the 2-0 lead. Three minutes later, Derek Nesbitt riffled a shot past Rasmus Tirronen from the right wing circle cutting the 'Blades lead to one heading into the second period.
Just three minutes into the middle frame as the Everblades went back on the power play. Matt Willows recovered a Gladiator turnover and delivered a slap-pass to Brendan O'Donnell who nudged it past the outstretched leg of Ginn stretching the Everblades lead to 3-1.
Halfway through the second, Eric Neiley charged into the Blades' offensive zone, slapped a shot just above the crease. Tirronen made the initial save, but somehow Neiley who was sliding on his belly slipped the puck between the legs of Tirronen on the second effort to cut the Blades lead back to one.
With five minutes remaining in the period, Mike Merrifield went one-on-one with Tirronen as he broke away from the Everblades defense. Merrifield angled from the right and squeezed the puck past the goal line to tie the game up 3-3.
The Gladiators went on a power play with one minute remaining in the second, and after three consecutive shots on net, Thomas Frazee put the Gladiators up 4-3 with a shot from the high slot heading into the third period.
The Everblades managed to tie the game back up at 2:27 into the third period when Matt Willows made a nice deke move in front of the net faking out Ginn to tie the game up at four.
With seven minutes remaining in regulation, Jimmy Murray raced past the Everblades defense and then shook out Tirronen with a deke to the backhand and lifting a shot high into the net to give the Gladiators the lead 5-4.
In the final minute, the Everblades pulled Tirronen to add the extra attacker, however it was not enough as Derek Nesbitt scored his second goal of the night with 16 seconds remaining as he outpaced the Blades' defense to put the puck into the empty net giving the Gladiators the 6-4 victory.
Matt Ginn earned the win stopping 28 out of 32 shots on goal, while Tirronen takes the loss allowing five goals on 25 shots.
The Everblades and Gladiators are back at it again Saturday April 2. Game time is set at 7:00 p.m. at Germain Arena. Promotional details listed below.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 1, 2016
- Eagles Down Steelheads in OT - Idaho Steelheads
- Swamp Rabbits Surrender 5-2 Loss to Kalamazoo - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Thunder Halt Admirals in Glens Falls - Norfolk Admirals
- Late Heroics Send Eagles to Playoffs - Colorado Eagles
- Mavericks Fall 3-2 to Americans - Kansas City Mavericks
- Special Teams Solid in 3-1 Victory over Rapid City - Wichita Thunder
- Rush Fall to Thunder - Rapid City Rush
- Walleye Break Attendance Record - Toledo Walleye
- Royals Pull Away for Big Win in Wheeling, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- Oilers Drop 5-3 to Mallards - Tulsa Oilers
- Gladiators Rally to Conquer Everblades 6-4 - Florida Everblades
- Solar Bears Stifled in 2-1 Loss to Stingrays - Orlando Solar Bears
- IceMen Score Five to Fend off Cyclones - Evansville IceMen
- Cyclones Playoff Bound Despite Road Loss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Nailers Fall Short in Front of Third Sellout Crowd - Wheeling Nailers
- Beast Outlast Jackals to Earn First Shootout Win of Season - Brampton Beast
- Mallards Down Oilers, Open Five Point Lead over Tulsa in Playoff Chase - Quad City Mallards
- Gaul's Goal Pushes Stingrays to 2-1 Win over Orlando Friday - South Carolina Stingrays
- Offensive Surge Gives Atlanta 6-4 Win in Florida - Atlanta Gladiators
- Monarchs Can't Complete Comeback, Fall to Toledo, 5-4 - Manchester Monarchs
- Wild Third Period Goes in as a Walleye Win 5-4 - Toledo Walleye
- K-Wings Win Sixth Straight, Sit One Point Back in Playoff Race - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - April 1 - ECHL
- Leach Named AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer for March - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nedomlel Returns to Chicago - Quad City Mallards
- Nailers Offer One Lucky Fan Chance to be Coach for a Day - Wheeling Nailers
- South Carolina's Leach AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer of the Month - ECHL
- Papale Visits Rush - Rapid City Rush
- Rally Falls Short as K-Wings Clip Swamp Rabbits in Overtime - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Game Notes: vs Evansville - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Atlanta Adds Scoring Punch to Lineup - Atlanta Gladiators
- Nailers vs. Royals Game Day Snap Shot - Wheeling Nailers
- Americans Open Weekend Series in Missouri - Allen Americans
- Cason Hohmann Heads to Rochester - Elmira Jackals
- Game Day Capsule: Wichita at Rapid City, April 1st - Wichita Thunder
- Swamp Rabbits Bolster Blue Line - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Elmira Jackals in the Community - Elmira Jackals
- Game Preview: Orlando at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m. - South Carolina Stingrays
- Oilers at Mallards Tonight: Game Preview - Tulsa Oilers
- Wedgewood is the MeiGray Group ECHL Alumnus of the Month - ECHL
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
- Jackals Venture North to Brampton to Meet the Beast - Elmira Jackals
- ECHL Today - April 1 - ECHL
- Worcester Pro Hockey HC Announces Fan Fest 2016 - Worcester Railers HC
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.
