After a tough 1–0 loss to the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday night — a game defined by Mitchell Gibson’s 33-save shutout — the Atlanta Gladiators wrapped up their four-game road trip on Saturday with a 2–1 defeat to the Jacksonville Icemen at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Coming off the shutout in North Charleston, the Gladiators looked to bounce back, turning once again to T.J. Semptimphelter, who earned the start for the second straight night after a strong showing against the Stingrays. Jacksonville countered with Cameron Rowe in net.
Atlanta wasted no time setting the tone. The Glads controlled possession early and made it count at 5:17 of the first period when Joey Cipollone struck for his third goal of the season. After picking off a pass at center ice, Cipollone drove the puck straight to the net, fired a shot that Rowe initially stopped, then battled for his own rebound and buried it.
Atlanta pushed the pace throughout the opening frame — including two chances on the power play — and carried a 1–0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting Jacksonville 9–3.
Jacksonville found its rhythm in the second period and evened the score at 1–1. At 4:06, Ryan Pitoscia ripped a shot from the far circle for his first professional goal. Both teams traded power-play opportunities, but neither side could capitalize. After 40 minutes, the game remained tied, with the Gladiators still holding a 14–11 shot advantage.
The Icemen struck early in the third for what became the game-winning goal. Just moments after Semptimphelter made a highlight-reel, full-extension save to rob Dalton Duhart, the Jacksonville forward stayed with the play and punched in a rebound at 3:33 to put the Icemen ahead 2–1.
Despite a strong push from Atlanta down the stretch, Rowe denied every opportunity the Glads generated. Semptimphelter turned in another excellent performance, stopping 23 of 25, but Rowe’s 25-save effort gave Jacksonville the edge. Atlanta finished the night 0-for-3 on the power play but went a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
With the loss, the Gladiators fall to 8–3 and close their road trip at 2–2.
Atlanta now returns home for a meaningful night at Gas South Arena as they host Greenville on Saturday for Glads Fight Cancer Night. The team will wear specialty jerseys honoring those currently battling cancer and those we’ve lost.
Puck drop is set for 7:10 PM EST.
