ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Stunted by Penalty Kills, 6-3

November 16, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Gladiators (5-6-0-0) found themselves in the penalty box early and often against the Florida Everblades (9-2-0-1) on Sunday afternoon, and that ended up being the difference in the game as they took the 6-3 loss. Brenden Walker, Marshall Everson, and Casey Pierro-Zabotel all had a goal and an assist in the game.

The story of the game was special teams, as Florida cashed in on four of their six power play opportunities, while Gwinnett was 2-for-3. Through the first two periods, six of the seven goals scored for both sides were on the man advantage.

Just like the last time these two teams faced off over a week ago, Florida was able to strike first. On two consecutive power plays, the "˜Blades' Gabriel Desjardins and Matt Mangene put goals on the board at 4:25 and 9:29, respectively. Less than thirty seconds later, Florida overwhelmed the Gladiators' net, and Mike Aviani put their third goal of the period past Gwinnett goalie, Adam Brown. That goal proved to be the last Brown would see, as Mark Guggenberger took over goaltending duties at 10:03.

The Gladiators would chip one back in before the end of the period. On the team's second power play of the game, Garry Nunn won the puck in the defensive end on a rebound off of a tremendous save from Guggenberger. Nunn sent it to up to an awaiting Marshall Everson, who sent a bullet into the net at 16:21.

The Everblades continued their assault in the second period, as former Gladiator Evan Bloodoff scored their fourth goal on a power play at 8:48. With the Gladiators buzzing around Allen York, a goal was eminent halfway through the second. At 10:33 Brenden Walker smashed a power play one-timer, backdoor from just outside the crease, on a dish from Casey Pierro-Zabotel. With only a couple minutes remaining, the Everblades' John McInnis put in their fourth power play goal of the game, and his first of the season at 18:10.

Looking to make the comeback, the Gladiators came firing out of the gates early in the third period. On a surge of forward momentum, Bo Dolan smashed right into a herd of "˜Blades creating a screen, just before slipping the puck to Pierro-Zabotel, who sent it into a seemingly empty net at just 2:14. The Everblades were not done scoring though, as they put up their sixth and final goal of the match from Corey Trivino at 14:50.

The Gladiators will meet the Florida Everblades on their home ice this Friday at 7:30pm. The Glads will be back home on November 25th at 7:05 as they take on 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.

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 November 16, 2014


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