Messner lifts Glads to victory over Indy

The Atlanta Gladiators came off a 4 -1 loss to the first place Florida Everblades on Saturday.

That'll do it tonight. We're back at it tomorrow at 2:05 PM!#HockeyLivesInTheA pic.twitter.com/Z6wDLZ4mAQ

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

On Sunday Atlanta took on the Indy Fuel for the first time this season. The two teams have not met since 2016-2017.

It’s GAMEDAY in the A!

🆚 @IndyFuel
⏰ 2:05 PM
📻 https://t.co/OECac7uMLh
📺 https://t.co/lCPC2KeRE9#HockeyLivesInTheA | #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/xl8vKi9Zig

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

Early in the opening frame a goal scored by Indy Fuel Graham Knott put the score at 1-0. 

At 13:46 minutes into the first period Glads Zach Malatesta finally scored the team’s first goal tying the score 1-1. Shortly afterwards Tony Martin scored putting the Glads in the lead 2-1 over the Fuel.

MARCHIN FOR THE LEAD!#Glads 2, @IndyFuel 1
4:06 | 1st pic.twitter.com/Xd9cXUpFYy

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

At the end of the 1st period the Glads maintained the lead 2-1.

That's how you start a Sunday Funday. Forty minutes to go!#HockeyLivesInTheA pic.twitter.com/d4Wb6tJA8H

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

Early in the 2nd period Avery Peterson scored a wraparound.

PETERSON WITH A WRAP-AROUND!#Glads 3, @IndyFuel 1
13:02 | 2nd pic.twitter.com/PsxwlH15iV

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

Indy Dylan McLaughlin put a score on the board.

Indy gets one back#Glads 2, @IndyFuel 3
9:14 | 2nd

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

At the end of the 2nd period, the Glads was up by 1 point.

40 minutes done. Time to cap the weekend with a W!#HockeyLivesInTheA pic.twitter.com/UQxmCGBSUc

— Atlanta Gladiators (@atlgladiators) November 17, 2019

Fresh into the 3rd period Indy Matthew Thompson added a goal tying the score 3-3.

FUEL GOAL! We're tied, Mat Thompson puts home a rebound and it's 3-3

— Indy Fuel (@IndyFuel) November 17, 2019

At 9:08 Joel Messner launched a slapshot that found the back of the net, busting the tie and helping the Gladiators skate away with a win. Here’s what head coach Jeff Pyle said about Messner sealing the win.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4_F806A16p/?igshid=1mxrmvpxlgiu7

Offensively the Glads are averaging 3.73 goals per game which is currently fifth in the league, while Indy is allowing just 2.92 goals a game good for sixth best in ECHL.

Atlanta next takes the ice Friday when they visit the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:00 PM. The Glads return home on Saturday November 23rd, when they host the Jacksonville Icemen on Joker vs. Batman Night at Infinite Energy Arena. The puck drops at 7:05 PM.