Gladiators Sweep Back to Back Games Against the Swamp Rabbits

The Atlanta Gladiators returned to Gas South Arena for Game 2 of their home doubleheader against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, less than 24 hours removed from a dramatic overtime finish. Last night’s heroics came off the stick of Isak Walther, who lifted Atlanta to a 3-2 victory with the game winning goal in overtime. Tonight, the intensity carried over immediately.

Within the opening 20 seconds, the physical tone continued from Friday night. Three players went straight to the box: Atlanta’s Brandon Less and Greenville’s Keaton Mastrodonato and Josh Atkinson. The early whistles signaled exactly what kind of game this would be, tight, heavy, and chippy on both ends of the ice.

Atlanta was handed a power play opportunity early in the first period, an area that has been one of the team’s biggest challenges of the season. Last night, the Gladiators finally broke through with a power play goal, and both Head Coach Matt Ginn and forward Alex Young spoke in the postgame presser about the need to build off that momentum. The message was carried into tonight.

The first period mirrored much of the opener of the series, high tempo and physical shifts, and layered defensive play. Atlanta earned three power plays in the period and converted to the final opportunity at the 19:45 mark, when Captain Cody Sylvester broke the scoreless tie. Louis Boudon and Chad Nychuk picked up the assists on the play.

Greenville recorded four penalties of their own and generated two power play chances, but unlike last night where the Swamp Rabbits out shot Atlanta 17- 8, the shot total was even at 12 after the opening frame.

Atlanta led after the first period with a score of 1-0.

By the second period, the Gladiators settled in, and the pace shifted from physical to tactical. The penalties slowed for Atlanta, who only took one in the period when Andrew Jarvis was called for tripping. Greenville continued to struggle with discipline and picked up three penalties in the frame, including two by Josh Atkinson. It was his third penalty of the night.

It turned into a defensive clinic for Atlanta. The Gladiators held the Swamp Rabbits to only six shots on goal in the period, cutting Greenville’s first period total in half. At the other end of the ice, Atlanta maintained steady offensive pressure and registered 13 shots on goal in the second period alone.

Through two periods, the Gladiators totaled 25 shots on goal, with Joey Cipollone leading the team in scoring attempts. He recorded five shots through the opening 40 minutes and helped drive the attack across multiple lines.

Heading into the final period, the Gladiators continued to hold their lead at 1-0.

In the final period, the Gladiators were focused on protecting their lead and staying composed in a tight one goal game. But after a penalty to Peter Morgan early in the third, Greenville capitalized and scored their first goal of the night at the 3:31 mark. Dante Sheriff found the back of the net for the Swamp Rabbits with assists from Carter Savoie and Tim Lovell, tying the game at 1-1

The remainder of the period became a battle for control as both teams fought for the go-ahead goal. Neither side was willing to concede space or momentum, and the rivalry tension continued to build. As the final seconds ran down, regulation was not enough. For the second straight night, the game headed into overtime.

Just as they did the night before, the Gladiators sealed the game in overtime, this time with Alex Young delivering the game winner. Atlanta earned the 2 to 1 victory and will now head on the road for a two-game series against the Jacksonville Icemen. (Editor’s note: We originally stated the overtime goal was scored by Cody Sylvester. Alex Young scored the game winning goal and this has been updated for accuracy.)