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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Victorious in OT Stunner, 3-2

April 8, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
(Atlanta Gladiators, Credit: Dale Zanine)

DULUTH, Ga. - In their final home game of the season, the Gladiators (20-44-3-4) made a spectacular comeback in front of their home crowd one last time, to take the overtime win against the Evansville IceMen (15-47-5-3), 3-2. Tyler Murovich scored the game-winning goal and tallied an assist, while Dan O'Donoghue and Mike Merrifield both grabbed goals for themselves as the Gladiators scored three unanswered goals in the third and overtime.

In a storybook ending, fan-favorite Tyler Murovich scored the overtime goal, to give the Gladiators the victory in their final game on home ice. Murovich snagged the puck at the bottom of the right faceoff circle on a knock from Patrick McEachen, and ripped a shot that appeared to fly through Branden Komm at 2:48 as the home crowd absolutely erupted.

The Gladiators would not have had their memorable ending if it weren't for their ability to dig out of the 2-0 hole early in the third. At 5:39 of the period, Greg Carey smashed the puck in on net towards Branden Komm on the Gwinnett power play, and Dan O'Donoghue finished the job on the far post.

On a fortunate late power play thanks to Evansville's second delay of game penalty of the game, the Gladiators relentlessly came at Komm with shots. At 18:32, Tyler Murovich's attempt in the low slot popped out of the crease as Mike Merrifield bolted in. Merrifield saw his opportunity to rear back and absolutely crush the puck into the net to send the game into overtime.

Back in the first period, the Gladiators could not buy a goal, despite laying heavy pressure on the IceMen. They doubled up Evansville's shots on goal, 15-to-8, but could not find net even after possessing the puck for the majority of the first twenty minutes.

The game slightly shifted in Evansville's favor in the second period, as they broke open the scoreless match at 5:22. Justin MacDonald took a quick shot from the slot immediately upon receiving the puck from Chris Rumble on a power play, to put the opposition on the board.

Mark Anthoine made it a two-goal game for the IceMen just as the third period got underway at 2:15. Anthoine found the backdoor from just outside the crease for the forward's eighth of the season.

The team will now head to Greenville this Saturday to take on Road Warriors at 7:00 p.m. for their final game of the 2014-15 season.

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.

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Images from this story

Gwinnett Gladiators Celebrate Game-Winning Goal
Gwinnett Gladiators Celebrate Game-Winning Goal
(Dale Zanine)		 Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
(Dale Zanine)		 Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
Gwinnett Gladiators vs. Evansville IceMen
(Dale Zanine)



ECHL Stories from April 8, 2015


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