Atlanta Gladiators Shutout Indy Fuel Twice to Start 2024-25 Season

The Atlanta Gladiators (2-0-0-0) kicked off the 2024-25 season in dominant fashion, shutting out the Indy Fuel (0-3-0-0) in back-to-back games over the weekend. The Gladiators earned a 1-0 victory in front of 5,403 fans at Gas South Arena on Saturday night, followed by a commanding 3-0 win on Sunday afternoon.

In Saturday’s opener, the Gladiators seized their chance to take the lead on the power play after Fuel captain Chris Cameron took a minor penalty at 16:32 in the first period. Just eight seconds into the man advantage, Cody Sylvester (1) unleashed a powerful slap shot, assisted by Derek Topatigh and Jackson Pierson, giving Atlanta the only goal they needed.

Indy responded strongly in the second period, outshooting the Gladiators 15-4 and benefiting from three power-play opportunities. However, Gladiators goaltender Drew DeRidder stood tall, making a series of critical saves to maintain Atlanta’s slim lead.

The Gladiators evened the play in the third period, outshooting Indy 8-3, and after 60 minutes of play, Atlanta secured the 1-0 victory. DeRidder’s 25 saves earned him his first professional shutout, while Fuel goaltender Peyton Jones stopped 19 of 20 shots in the loss.

On Sunday, both teams once again delivered a defensive battle through a scoreless first period. Jackson Pierson (1) broke the deadlock early in the second, finding the back of the net just 90 seconds into the period with a wrist shot past Indy’s Benjamin Gaudreau.

Atlanta goaltender Ethan Haider, making his professional debut, was sensational, turning away all 23 shots through two periods.

Holding a 1-0 lead in the third, Cody Sylvester (2) struck again, this time weaving through the Indy defense and firing a shot from the high slot to beat Gaudreau. Later, Ryan Cranford (1) iced the game with an empty-net goal after an unselfish setup from Blake Murray.

Ethan Haider stopped all 28 shots he faced to complete the shutout, while Benjamin Gaudreau saved 24 of 26 shots for Indy.

The Gladiators return to action with two consecutive home games against the defending Kelly Cup champion Florida Everblades on Friday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 26th.