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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Topple Everblades 4-2

March 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


A conservative and defensive-minded effort paid dividends to a Gladiators squad clinging to their slim post season chances, as they knocked off the sixth-ranked Florida Everblades 4-2 in a do-or-die match up. After surrendering the first goal of the game, Gwinnett buckled down, exercising patience and fortitude, staving off a potent Florida offense while capitalizing on third period opportunities. Entering the final period with a 2-1 lead, the Gladiators allowed the Everblades to tie the game on the power play before two quick strikes afforded the Gladiators a lead which proved insurmountable for the South Division rival.

Matt Caruana tipped in a blast from Chad Denny midway through the third period for the go-ahead goal just 11 seconds before Matt Francis provided an insurance marker with his 21st point in the past 14 games, giving the Gladiators the 4-2 lead, which held up through the final eight and a half minutes.

A conservative start to the game saw much of the play taking place in the neutral zone. But a turnover just across the Gladiators' blue line by forward Dan Sullivan turned into a three-on-two the opposite direction, and Milan Gajic found Dominic Osman, who was trailing the play, and his wrist shot from just above the hash marks beat Gwinnett goaltender David Brown over the right shoulder for a 1-0 lead 6:50 into the contest.

After heavy pressure in the Florida zone for much of the second period, Gwinnett evened the score at 15:13, as Mike McLean tucked a backhander through the legs of Florida goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu off a faceoff, knotting the score at one. Picking up assists were Tom Zanoski and Matt Caruana.

After two periods, the Gladiators held a 24-20 margin in shots.

After Florida's Ryan Lang committed a tripping penalty in the final second of the second period, the Gladiators began the third period on the power play and wasted no time taking their first lead of the game. Working deep, Adam Berti Walked in front and put a shot on Beckford-Tesu. The rebound came to Patrick Galivan in the crease, and he buried the go-ahead goal just 23 seconds into the period for the 2-1 lead.

But the Everblades answered with their own power play goal at 8:33 of the period, after Drew Dobson went off for holding at 8:15. A.J. Thelen fired a shot from the high point into traffic, and Shea Guthrie got his blade on the shot, tipping it past a helpless Brown, tying the score at two.

Things quickly turned in favor of the home team, however, as Chad Denny took advantage of a turnover in the slot and fired a laser on goal, which Matt Caruana tipped past Beckford-Tseu near the far post, giving the gladiators their second lead of the game.

Just 11 seconds later, Matt Francis carried the puck into the zone, walking around one Florida defenseman and deposited a shot over Beckford-Tseu's glove, providing the important insurance marker.

Florida pulled Beckford-Tseu in favor of the extra skater for the final minute and four seconds, but David Brown and the Gladiators' defense stood tall, denying the Everblades a chance to cut the lead in half.

David Brown made 27 saves for his second victory in his past three starts, while Beckford-Tseu made 32 saves on 36 shots, taking the loss in his 25th consecutive start in net for Florida.

The Gladiators improve to 31-29-4-3 with 69 points in the standings but make up no ground in the hunt for the final playoff spot, as Trenton and Toledo each won, maintaining pace with Gwinnett.

Gwinnett's Matt Caruana extended his point streak to four games with his goal and assist on the night and now has four goals and two assists in the past four games.

The Gladiators and Everblades will battle in a rematch on Sunday afternoon, the final match up of 14 games between the teams on the season.

Gladiators Topple Everblades 4-2

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