ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gwinnett Edged out Once Again by Fort Wayne, 3-2

February 21, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Gladiators (16-31-3-1) dropped a one-goal contest to the Fort Wayne Komets (35-12-1-3) for the third time this season on Saturday night. This time, the Gladiators jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, but they could not hold onto it as the Komets responded with three unanswered goals.

For the second consecutive night, the Gladiators started the game with a very strong first period, and this time they were able to get something tangible out of it. Eight minutes into action, Zach Yuen gave Gwinnett the game's first goal. With Brenden Walker and Casey Pierro-Zabotel crashing the net, it was Yuen that was able to find the loose puck in the ensuing scrum and clean the mess for his sixth goal of the season.

Two minutes and one shot later, on the Gladiators' first power play of the evening, Garry Nunn tallied his third goal in as many games by blasting the puck through Pat Nagle from the left circle at 10:08. It was the first time since February 6th that the team jumped out to a multi-goal lead.

But the Komets would start chipping back from there. On Fort Wayne's first power play of the night, Matthew Pistilli fed a one-time pass through his legs from the left post to the right post and onto the waiting stick of Brock Higgs. Before Mark Guggenberger could recover in the crease, Higgs lifted the puck into the net at 18:27.

The Komets tied the score at 1:12 of the second on their second man advantage with Christian Ouellet's dangling semi-breakaway through the offensive zone. Fort Wayne would control most of the play in the second frame, outshooting Gwinnett 18-to-2, but that Ouellet goal would be their only tally of the period.

In the third period, Fort Wayne continued their momentum and got under Gwinnett's skin, drawing three physical penalties. But it was Cody Sol's even strength slap shot from the left point that was the difference in the game at 11:36.

Mark Guggenberger was 33-for-36 in his crease, while Pat Nagle picked up the win with a 19-for-21 effort. The Gladiators were 1-for-5 on the power play, and the Komets were 2-for-6 on their end.

The Gladiators will next head on to Toledo, Ohio to take on the Walleye for the fourth and final time this season at 5:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast on http://www.gwinnettgladiators.com/radio and WDUN.com, starting at 5:00. Gwinnett will return to The Arena at Gwinnett Center on Saturday, March 7th for $5 Frenzy Night "" Mesh Replica Jerseys against the South Carolina Stingrays.

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.

As Atlanta's "One and Only" professional hockey team, the Gladiators have established an extraordinary winning tradition and unrivaled commitment to excellence, maintaining a distinctive reputation for affordable and family-friendly sports entertainment. The Gladiators are consistently ranked as one of the top "Things To Do" in the Atlanta area and across the North Georgia region.

For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit GwinnettGladiators.com, or "like" the Gladiators on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators), and follow the team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/GWTGladiators)."¨"¨

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ECHL Stories from February 21, 2015


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