Gladiators and Icemen Split in Florida, Series Decider Comes Home Sunday

One night after dominating Jacksonville with a commanding 4-3 win, the Atlanta Gladiators stepped into VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena looking to keep their surge alive. With four straight wins behind them and momentum trending up, Atlanta entered Saturday’s matchup focused on climbing the South Division standings and sealing back to back victories on the road.

The Icemen changed things up in net, turning to Michael Bullion after he came in for relief Friday night. Atlanta countered with Ethan Haider for the second straight game.

Jacksonville came out firing early, pressing the pace and forcing the Gladiators to defend through the opening minutes. Atlanta’s first power play opportunity gave them a chance to settle in, but they were unable to capitalize before physicality took center stage. Kalan Lind dropped the gloves with Aiden Fulp, setting the tone for a chippy first frame.

Late in the period, Jacksonville struck twice in just 36 seconds. Goals from Ryan Pitoscia and Chris Gando sent the Icemen into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.

Atlanta refused to fold. The second period cracked wide open as Lind continued his active night, jumping on a loose puck in the crease and slamming home his second goal of the season. Assists went to Joey Cipollone and Anthony Firriolo, trimming the deficit to 2-1 and giving the Gladiators life.

Jacksonville responded almost immediately, scoring six seconds into their power play courtesy of Bennett MacArthur to stretch the lead to 3-1. But Atlanta had another push in them. A late surge brought two goals in twenty three seconds — the first a power play marker from Mike McNamee with three twenty five remaining, followed by a quick strike from Mickey Burns that knotted the game at 3-3 heading into the third.

Both teams dug in for the final frame, trading looks and battling for the go ahead goal. Atlanta earned a pair of power play chances but could not convert. Jacksonville broke the tie with four fifty left in regulation when Taos Jordan buried his first professional goal off a clean faceoff win from Christopher Brown. Despite a final push, Atlanta could not beat Bullion late, dropping the contest 4-3.

Bullion finished the night stopping twenty nine of thirty two shots for Jacksonville. Haider recorded twenty six saves on thirty attempts for Atlanta. The Gladiators went one for five on the power play and two for three on the penalty kill.

Tonight’s loss evens the three game stretch at one win each, setting up a decisive finale on Sunday.

The third and final game of this three in three is tomorrow at Gas South Arena for Max’s Holiday Party. Puck drops at 3 pm EST as the Gladiators return home looking to close the series with a statement win.

KB Sports Media will be there for full coverage.