ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Solar Bears Stuff Gladiators, 4-1

Published on February 7, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - In their 12th annual Teddy Bear Toss game, it was the Orlando Solar Bears (23-16-3-0) who tossed the Gladiators (16-25-2-1), stuffing the home team with a 4-1 loss. Brenden Walker had the only Gladiator goal, while Kent Patterson was once again put to the test, saving 32 shots.

The Solar Bears grabbed the first goal of the night at 7:44. Carson McMillan fought for possession of the puck behind the Gladiators' net and tapped a nifty behind the back pass to Brady Vail, who snuck around the backside of the net. Vail put the puck in backdoor before Kent Patterson even turned to face him.

The large home crowd had to hold onto their teddy bears only a little while longer, as the Gladiators allowed for their release at 8:30. Casey Pierro-Zabotel won the turnover on the forecheck at the right point and dished the puck over to Brenden Walker, who wristed a one-timer in past Sparks.

The Solar Bears stole all the momentum back at the end of the period, and tacked on two more goals before the first 20 minutes were over. The first goal came when John McInnis sent in a shot, which deflected out as Jacob Cepis rushed in and scored on the rebound at 17:12. With 56 seconds remaining in the period, Brock Montgomery deflected Orlando's third goal in after Cepis sent the puck in on net, five seconds into their second power play of the night.

The second period opened much like the first, with Orlando scoring at 8:18. Montgomery caught a pass from Blake Kessel as he was streaking towards goal, and found himself one on one with Patterson. Montgomery smacked in the puck just under the reach of Patterson for his second goal of the night. The Gladiators never regained any momentum throughout the second period, and failed to convert any of their 10 shots on net.

The third period proved to be a battle between the division rivals, but neither team tallied another goal, as the score remained 4-1 until the final horn.

Orlando hammered in another high number of shots, challenging Patterson nonstop, as he saved 32 of 36. On the other end of the ice, Garrett Sparks saved all but one of the Gladiators' 24 shots.

The Gladiators will travel to South Carolina tomorrow afternoon, February 8th, to take on the Stingrays at 3:05 p.m. The Gladiators will return to The Arena at Gwinnett Center next Saturday, February 14th when they once again face the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:05 p.m. Join the team for the first night of PINK THE RINK, to support breast cancer awareness!

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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ECHL Stories from February 7, 2015


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