Gladiators Celebrate First Game Back with a Shutout Night

Tonight, the Atlanta Gladiators came in at 20-6 for their first home game since the strike, taking on the Greensboro Gargoyles who entered at 7-13.

T. J. Semptimphelter started in goal, carrying the league’s top goals against average among goalies with at least 10 starts at 1.53. The Gladiators opened the night just 3 points behind first place Wheeling with 40 points on the season.

The first period was clean with no penalties on either side. Greensboro came out aggressively and recorded 12 shots on goal, but Semptimphelter stopped all of them. Atlanta finished with 6 shots on goal and newly acquired defenseman Nolan Orzeck had 2 of them. After the first period, the score was 1-1.

At the 5:16 mark in the second period, the Gladiators struck first with a goal from Jack O’Brien. Andrew Jarvis and Carson Denomie picked up the assists, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

The momentum continued midway through the period when Ethan Scardina scored at 10:20 off assists from Mickey Burns and Ryan Francis.

Late in the second, the Gladiators went on their first power play of the night after Greensboro’s Deni Goure was called for high sticking resulting in a four-minute penalty. Greensboro continued to generate chances, outshooting Atlanta 13-6 in the period, but T. J. Semptimphelter made every save.

At the end of the second period, the Gladiators led 2-0.

In the final period, the Gladiators resumed their four-minute power play, but they were unable to capitalize. The third period featured even more penalties. The Gladiators were called for two, while the Gargoyles took one. The defense successfully killed off both penalties but still could not convert on the power play.

At the 14:08 mark, the Gladiators earned their third power play of the night, and it sparked a big fight between Ryan Nolan and Greensboro’s Artyom Borshyov. Both players received five-minute penalties.

With five seconds left in the game, Joey Cipollone buried an incredible empty net goal to extend the Gladiators lead to 3-0. Semptimphelter and Ethan Haider combined for the shutout, and the Gladiators locked in their twenty first win of the season. Atlanta finished the night with 20 shots on goal.

The Gladiators are back at home on Friday, January 9 for Military Night as the team honors those who serve with special tributes, military jerseys, and recognition of local heroes. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

For game highlights CLICK HERE.