ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Winning Streak Snapped

Published on March 2, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - The Gwinnett Gladiators dug themselves out of a three-goal hole Sunday afternoon, but fell short against the Florida Everblades 5-3 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The loss snapped Gwinnett's three-game winning streak while the Blades snapped their four-game losing streak.

For the third straight game, Gwinnett spotted Florida with a two-goal lead in the first period, despite the Gladiators (21-31-2-2) outplaying the Everblades (28-20-2-4) for the majority of the frame. Trevor Bruess scored first at 2:16 by dangling around to the right of goaltender Mark Guggenberger. Aaron Bogosian made it 2-0 on a snipe from the right faceoff circle over Guggenberger's shoulder at 12:59. Gwinnett had three power play chances in the first, but wasn't able to convert on any of its opportunities.

The second started with the Everblades extending their lead, something they weren't able to do the previous two nights. Austin Levi scored just 58 seconds into the period to make it 3-0 in favor of the visitors.

But the Gladiators started chipping back from there. Beneficiaries of some odd caroms off the home boards as of late, Gwinnett cashed in off the fluky play again for their first goal. Trevor Cann made the initial save off the 90-degree bounce to his right side, but the clearing attempt came out to Rob Kwiet in the mid-slot, who shoveled the puck in under Cann's legs at 2:29.

After some more physicality from both sides in the middle of the period, Gwinnett scored on their fifth power play of the day. Joey Haddad entered the zone on the near side, and was immediately contested by two Everblades. Haddad turned around and blindly chucked a back hand pass to Brenden Walker in motion, who lifted his shot over Cann's glove at 17:33.

Haddad then tied the game in the third, racing into the Blades zone and ripping a shot over Cann, off the crossbar and in at 12:23 unassisted. Haddad's 13th tally of the season extended his scoring streak to five games.

Florida, however, took over from there on out. The Blades outshot Gwinnett 12-6 in the third, and benefited from a lucky bounce as an Olivier Dame Malka shot from the point ramped off Guggenberger's stick and in top shelf at 13:06. Stefan Della-Rovere capped the scoring and the Everblades 5-3 win at 18:36.

Gwinnett went 1-for-7 on the man advantage while Florida failed to capitalize on its one chance on the power play. Guggenberger suffered his first loss in a Gwinnett sweater stopping 28 shots, while Cann made 18 saves in Florida's win.

The same two teams face-off for two games next weekend in Florida. Gwinnett's next home game is Friday March 14th at 7:05 p.m. against the South Carolina Stingrays.

To purchase tickets, please visit 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 Phoenix 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.

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