Gladiators Take Down Defending Champs to Open Season
Published on October 21, 2022 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
DULUTH, Ga. - The Atlanta Gladiators (1-0-0-0) defeated the Florida Everblades (0-1-0-0) in a 4-2 final on Opening Night at Gas South Arena. Atlanta scored two power-play goals while holding Florida scoreless on six power-play opportunities.
Highlights of Atlanta's 4-2 win over Florida
First Star: Gabe Guertler (ATL) - goal, assist
Second Star: Derek Topatigh (ATL) - two assists
Third Star: Mike Pelech (ATL) - two assists
Kaid Oliver kicked off the scoring for the new season when he buried a one-timer set up by Cody Sylvester in the middle of the first period (11:26). Oliver lit the lamp 15 times last season as a rookie with the Iowa Heartlanders.
Just a minute-and-a-half later, rookie Reece Vitelli buried his first professional goal on the power play to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead (12:54).
The Gladiators took a 3-0 advantage a few shifts after Vitelli's tally when Brandon Schultz deftly tipped a Derek Topatigh pass under Florida goaltender Cam Johnson's pads.
Gabe Guertler tipped in a goal of his own in the second period to put Atlanta ahead 4-0 (5:27). Tim Davison provided the shot from the blue line, and Guertler angled the puck past Johnson's shoulder.
Robert Carpenter put Florida on the board late in the second period (17:13), and Michael Neville scored a shorthanded goal late in the third, but Tyler Parks stood tall in net for Atlanta with 30 saves on 32 shots.
ECHL Stories from October 21, 2022
- Opening Game of the 2022-2023 Season - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- GAME Preview: OPENING NIGHT - SWAMP RABBITS VS GHOST PIRATES (10/22/22 - 7:05PM) - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Ryan Dmowski Nets Hat Trick in Steelheads' Victory Over Iowa - Idaho Steelheads
- Heartlanders Draw Best Crowd in Team History in Season Opener vs. Idaho - Iowa Heartlanders
- Mariners Claim Opening Night in Overtime - Maine Mariners
- Blades Drop Season Opener - Florida Everblades
- Stingrays Sink Admirals in Season Opener - South Carolina Stingrays
- Royals Drop Season Opener to Growlers, 4-2 - Reading Royals
- Admirals Drop Home Opener to Stingrays - Norfolk Admirals
- GAME Preview: OPENING NIGHT - SWAMP RABBITS VS GHOST PIRATES (10/22/22 - 7:05PM) - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Growlers Tame Royals 4-2 - Newfoundland Growlers
- Gladiators Take Down Defending Champs to Open Season - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Transactions - October 21 - ECHL
- Season Opener Tonight in Tulsa - Allen Americans
- Grizzlies Gameday: Opening Night at Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Everblades Open 25th Season with First of Two in Atlanta - Florida Everblades
- Grizzlies Captains Announced for the 2022-2023 Season - Utah Grizzlies
- Frank Hora Named Captain of Swamp Rabbits - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Notes: at Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Admirals, October 21 at 7:05 PM - South Carolina Stingrays
- Royals Open Regular Season against Growlers in St.John's - Reading Royals
- Opening Game of the 2022-2023 Season Tonight - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Preview: Gladiators vs Defending Champs on Opening Night - Atlanta Gladiators
- Walleye Announce 2022 Season Opening Roster - Toledo Walleye
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.
