Gladiators Topple Everblades 3-2 In OT
Published on December 27, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
Matt Siddall scored 1:48 into overtime, and he and Aaron Brocklehurst each finished with a goal and an assist to lead the Gladiators to a thrilling overtime victory over South Division foe Florida in front of 4,289 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Sunday afternoon. Gwinnett took an early lead in the game only to fall behind once again, before notching two unanswered goals to move to 2-0 against the Everblades this season.
Tim Miller scored his third goal of the season 10:56 into the first period, knocking home a rebound on the backdoor to open the scoring and give the Gladiators a 1-0 lead. Assists on the play went to Adam Berti, his 20th of the year, and Matt Siddall.
The Everblades evened the score 4:41 later when an unfortunate bounce found the stick of Florida forward Ryan Lang all alone in the slot in front of Gwinnett net minder David Brown. Lang faked to the forehand then deposited a backhand shot over the glove of Brown to tie the score at one.
After the first 20 minutes, Gwinnett owned a 16-11 margin in shots on goal.
Florida took their first lead of the game on the power play 7:58 into the second period after Tim Filangieri went off for hooking at 6:15. A bouncing puck in the crease slipped past Brown and just across the goal line, making the score 2-1. Shea Guthrie was credited with the goal, and assists went to Brandon Buck and Matt Duffy.
Tempers flared soon after Florida's go ahead goal, and Gwinnett's Adam Berti and Florida's Brad Zanon dropped the gloves at 8:10 of the period in Berti's first fight and just his third trip to the sin bin all season. Less than a minute later, Chad Denny and Florida's Benn Olson threw down near center ice.
Both teams seemed to feed of the scraps, but it was the Gladiators who converted with a goal. Aaron Brocklehurst caught up with Jason Lawrence's long outlet pass off the boards and snuck past the Florida defense, bringing the puck in alone and beat Florida net minder Mike Morrison with a quick shot to the glove side, tying the game at two. David Brown earned his second professional assist on the play.
The ensuing faceoff led to yet another fight, but the teams would go the locker rooms still tied at two after 40 minutes of play. Each team was assessed 19 penalty minutes in the period.
Florida erupted for 22 shots in the second to take a 33-28 margin going into the final frame.
The teams skated evenly in a scoreless third period, sending the game into overtime.
Matt Siddall collected a long rebound in the slot off of an Aaron Brocklehurst shot from the right wing and walked in uncontested and slid a shot through Morrison at 1:48 of the extra period, propelling the Gladiators to their first win on home ice since a 4-2 victory over Charlotte on December 6th.
David Brown recorded a season high 47 saves in the victory and improved to 5-4-1-0 on the year. Mike Morrison saved 34 shots for Florida moving to 7-9-1-0 for the season.
Florida finished 1-3 on the power play on Shea Guthrie's strike in the second period, and held the Gladiators scoreless on the man-advantage in two tries.
With the victory, the Gladiators improve to 14-10-2-1 on the season and make up ground on the third place Everblades and first place South Carolina, who fell to Charlotte 5-4.
Siddall and Brocklehurst each finished with a goal and an assist for the Gladiators, while Brown, Chad Denny, Lawrence, and Adam Berti each chipped in with assists. Lawrence extended his point streak to four games with a goal and three assists.
The Gladiators continue their four-game home stand on Tuesday, December 29th with a rematch against the Everblades at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 p.m.
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