Gladiators declaw Solar Bears

Photo courtesy of Dedra Walker @emoryrosephotography

Returning back to home ice from the big win on Wednesday over the Stingrays 3-2. The Gladiators face the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday at Infinite Energy Arena. The puck dropped at 7:35 pm.

Early in the first period the Atlanta Gladiators scored their 1st goal of the night scored by Eric Neeley assisted by Samuel Asselin and Luke Nogard.

At 7:55 Joel Messner doubled the score, assisted by Zach Malatesta and Avery Peterson. This was Messner’s 8th goal of the season.

Shortly afterwards Avery Peterson scored another goal, assisted by Logan Nelson leaving the Polar Bears scoreless. At 9:55 Peterson  scored again on a powerplay assisted by Derek Nesbitt and Samuel Asselin.

At the closing of the 1st period Gladiators Samuel Asselin scored a goal assisted by Tommy Marchin, and Logan Nelson.

Going into the 1st intermission the Gladiators led 5-0 over Orlando.

Entering into the 2nd period both teams locked down defensively. It was late in the 2nd period Tommy Marchin scored a goal assisted by Eric Neeley and Derek Nesbitt. The goal marked Marchin’s 19th goal of the season.

Going into the final period the Solar Bears remained scoreless.

Late in the final frame the Solar Bears scored a goal but it wasn’t enough to stop Atlanta’s dominant effort. The Gladiators skated away with a 6-1 win. With the 6-1 victory, Atlanta gained their sixth straight game with a point and placing them just one point behind Orlando for the South Division’s fourth and final playoff spot.

The Gladiators will hit the ice again Saturday evening to face the Norfolk Admirals at 7:05 PM for the second day of Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend at Infinite Energy Arena.