ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Scorch Solar Bears, 5-1

Published on December 21, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Gladiators (8-15-1-0) gave themselves an early Christmas present in their final game before the break, by taking the win over the Orlando Solar Bears (14-12-3-0), 5-1. Garry Nunn scored two goals, while Marshall Everson had a goal and two assists.

The Gladiators had a season-high 43 shots on goal against Orlando's Kent Patterson and put away five goals, matching their season high of goals scored. Mike Lee saved 28 of the 29 shots sent his way.

The Gladiators came out of the gates running in the first period, firing multiple shots on Solar Bears' goaltender Kent Patterson immediately. However it would take until 15:39 before the Gladiators would cash in on a shot, continuing their four-game streak of scoring before their opponent. All alone in the right faceoff circle, Casey Pierro-Zabotel received the puck and sent a crisp pass straight over to Garry Nunn awaiting in the slot. Nunn then smashed a one-timer right past Patterson for his third goal of the season.

The second period was all Gladiators, as they once again put one on the board first. On a Gladiators' power play, the Solar Bears were unable to clear the puck after an original save from Marshall Everson's shot on goal, and Joe Stejskal buried one in off the rebound at 3:57. The Gladiators tacked on their third goal of the game in the remaining few seconds of the period at 19:41 when Will MacDonald slipped the puck out to the left faceoff circle where Marshall Everson sent a bullet into the net while dropping down to one knee.

The Gladiators shutout bid was broken up at 12:45 in the third, on a goal from Brett Findlay. Garry Nunn brought the lead back to three almost instantly, 30 seconds later, at 13:15. Nunn scored his second goal of the game by rushing towards Patterson's right side, and flipping the puck over his shoulder, deflating any chance of an Orlando comeback.

The Gladiators punctuated their victory by adding a fifth goal off yet another rebound, this time it was Geoff Paukovich scoring his first goal of the season off of an original shot from Brenden Walker at 17:24.

The Gladiators' season will continue after the Holidays when they travel to Greenville to take on the Road Warriors, December 26th at 7:00 p.m. The Gladiators will return home to The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday, December 29th, for Festivus and the annual Ugly Sweater Contest against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:05 p.m.

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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ECHL Stories from December 21, 2014


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