Midseason Performance Overview: Offense and Defense
The Atlanta Gladiators have had an exciting season so far, with standout performances from both forwards and defensemen, along with solid goaltending. Key players like Cody Sylvester, Eric Neiley, and Derek Topatigh have been instrumental in the team’s success. The forwards have displayed impressive offensive skills, the defensemen have provided stability, and the goaltenders have been reliable in the net. This midseason report highlights the top performers and notable contributors, offering a comprehensive look at the Gladiators’ strengths and areas for improvement as they aim for a strong finish to the season.
Forwards: Top Performers and Notable Contributions
Top Performers
Cody Sylvester (#16) has been leading the team with 31 points, including 15 goals and 16 assists in 41 games. Sylvester’s offensive consistency is highlighted by 112 shots and four power play goals. He recently celebrated a few career milestones, underscoring his significant impact on the team.
Eric Neiley (#59) has also been impressive, contributing 11 goals and 18 assists in 34 games, totaling 29 points. Neiley’s return from retirement this season has been marked by his 150th career goal, showcasing his enduring talent and experience. His leadership is often evident in the team’s performance when he is on the ice.
Blake Murray (#92) has shown his scoring ability with 11 goals and 14 assists in 35 games, amassing 25 points. His offensive contributions, including three power play goals, have made him a key player since joining the Gladiators.
Notable Performances
Joey Cipollone (#71) has been a reliable contributor with nine goals and 14 assists in 39 games, totaling 23 points. His balanced play and 77 shots on goal demonstrate his consistent presence on the ice, providing stability and scoring when needed.
Easton Armstrong (#7) has added eight goals and 11 assists in 37 games, contributing 19 points. Armstrong has been a solid performer, providing depth to the forward lineup and stepping up in crucial moments.
Patriks Marcinkevics (#26) has been a notable playmaker with five goals and 14 assists in 29 games, totaling 19 points. Marcinkevics has been a key addition to the team, often setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Overall Grade for Forwards: B+
The top performers, including Sylvester, Neiley, and Murray, have been crucial to the team’s offensive success. Their ability to score and assist consistently, along with hitting significant career milestones, has been a major asset for the Gladiators. The notable contributors, such as Cipollone, Armstrong, and Marcinkevics, have provided essential depth and stability. Together, the forwards have demonstrated resilience and skill, earning them a collective grade of B+.
Defensemen: Key Players and Solid Performances
The defensemen have also played a crucial role in the team’s performance, showcasing a mix of strong individual performances and solid team contributions.
Top Performers
The defensemen have also played a crucial role in the team’s performance, showcasing a mix of strong individual performances and solid team contributions.
Top Performers
Derek Topatigh (#28) has been a cornerstone for the Gladiators’ defense this season. Topatigh has accumulated 27 points (6 goals, 21 assists) in 40 games, ranking him 7th among defensemen in the league. Additionally, he has taken 100 shots, placing him 5th in the league for shots by a defenseman. Topatigh’s consistent play has earned him a spot on the Eastern Conference Mid-Season All-Star team, highlighting his significant contributions on both ends of the ice.
Anthony Firriolo (#12) has made a strong impact in his 22 games, scoring two goals and adding 10 assists for a total of 12 points. Firriolo has been a key player in maintaining the team’s defensive stability while contributing to their offensive efforts. He is likely to be mentioned more often as the season progresses into the back half.
Andrew Jarvis (#25) has been a steady presence on the blue line, contributing three goals and five assists in 34 games. Jarvis has shown his ability to step up in crucial moments, including a standout two-goal week earlier in the season.
“We focus a lot on maintaining our energy and keeping the pressure on the opponents. It’s about playing smart and staying disciplined. Our coach always says, ‘Move your feet, don’t take lazy penalties,’ and that’s something we really take to heart.
– Andrew Jarvis, on team’s overall strategy.
Notable Performers
Jeremy Hanzel (#4), in his 30 games, has scored two goals and six assists, totaling eight points. Hanzel’s offensive contributions and his ability to play in various situations have been valuable.
Christian Hausinger (#10) has provided solid support with seven assists in 27 games. Hausinger’s playmaking abilities and experience have been beneficial to the team’s overall performance. He has also made a notable impact in shootouts, scoring one shootout goal with a 50.0% success rate, tying him for the lead in shootout goals among defensemen.
Zach Yoder (#11) has been a physical force on the ice, with five assists in 32 games. Known for his ability to clear the front of the net and block shots, Yoder’s defensive fundamentals have been crucial.
Brenden Datema (#5) has contributed one goal, his first as a professional, and has added three assists in 30 games. His physical play and leadership qualities have been evident, as he continues to develop in his first full professional season.
“Everybody’s hitting right now, getting in the corners, doing the dirty work. I think the board play and winning battles really helps the team, and sticking to what we’ve been practicing.”
-Brenden Datema
Dylan Carabia (#27), with two assists in 32 games, recently celebrated his 150th game as an Atlanta Gladiator. His defensive efforts and commitment to the team have been commendable.
Overall Grade for Defensemen: B
The top performers, including Topatigh and Firriolo, have been instrumental in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Their ability to contribute points has been crucial for the team’s success. The notable contributors, such as Hanzel, Hausinger, and Yoder, have provided essential support and stability. As a group, the defensemen have shown resilience and skill, earning them a collective grade of B.
Team MVP: Cody Sylvester
Cody Sylvester (#16) is our clear choice for the team MVP of the Atlanta Gladiators at this point in the season. He currently leads the team in points after 41 games. Sylvester has been a consistent offensive force, taking 112 shots and netting four power play goals, often in crucial game-winning situations. Sylvester is tied for the league lead with five game-winning goals so far. His ability to perform well under pressure and lead by example makes him the standout player for the Gladiators. Fans and teammates alike can always count on Sylvester to bring his best game, making him a true MVP for the team.
MVP Candidates:
Joey Cipollone: Cipollone has been a consistent performer, contributing key goals and assists throughout the season. His ability to step up in crucial moments has been invaluable to the team.
Blake Murray: Murray has thrilled fans with his hat tricks and game-winning goals. His offensive skills and ability to perform under pressure have been highlights of the season.
Ethan Haider: Haider has been a rock in goal, securing multiple shutouts and winning streaks. His reliability and standout performances in net have been crucial for the team’s success.
Team Milestones
First Professional Goals
The Atlanta Gladiators have celebrated several first professional goals this season. Jeremy Hanzel scored his first professional goal on November 14th against the Florida Everblades, with Andrew Jarvis also netting his first professional goal in the same game. Patriks Marcinkevics followed suit on November 29th against the Savannah Ghost Pirates, and PJ Fletcher celebrated his first professional goal on the same day. Easton Armstrong joined the ranks with his first goal on December 6th, while Anthony Firriolo scored his first goal with the Gladiators on December 21st. The excitement continued into the new year as Brenden Datema found the back of the net for the first time on January 5th against the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Connor Galloway netted his first professional goal on January 13th in a match against the Cincinnati Cyclones, with the Gladiators winning the game.
Career Milestones
In terms of career milestones, Cody Sylvester achieved his 500th professional point on December 28th against the Norfolk Admirals. Blake Murray skated in his 200th professional game on January 3rd, and just two days later, Sylvester reached his 200th game as an Atlanta Gladiator and celebrated 200 points as a Gladiator. Dylan Carabia marked his 150th game with the team on January 10th. Carson Denomie reached 200 career games played on January 17th, and Joey Cipollone hit the 100 career games played milestone on the same day.
Goaltending
The goaltenders have also had notable achievements. Drew DeRidder recorded his first professional shutout on October 19th in a 1-0 victory over the Indy Fuel, making 25 saves. Ethan Haider followed with his first professional shutout on October 20th, stopping all 31 shots in a 3-0 win against the Indy Fuel.
Hat Tricks
Hat tricks have added to the excitement, with Blake Murray thrilling fans on December 14th against the Swamp Rabbits and Cody Sylvester delivering another hat trick on January 12th, leading the Gladiators to victory over the Cyclones.
Team Captain
On January 20th, Captain Eric Neiley had an incredible day of milestones, reaching 150 career goals, 150 career assists, and 300 career points all on the same day. We have a feeling that this team may see some more milestones occur over the coming weeks.
Midseason Performance Overview: Goaltenders
Ethan Haider (#31) has been a reliable presence in the net for the Atlanta Gladiators this season. In 24 games, he has secured 13 wins with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.87 and a save percentage of .899. Haider has faced 1,399 shots, making 1,265 saves. His performance includes nine quality starts and one shutout, showcasing his ability to keep the team competitive in tight games. Haider’s consistency and resilience have been key factors in the Gladiators’ defensive efforts.
Drew DeRidder (#34) has also contributed significantly to the Gladiators’ goaltending strength. In 18 games, he has recorded 4 wins with a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.09 and a save percentage of .903. DeRidder has faced 1,028 shots, making 929 saves. His performance includes nine quality starts and one shutout, demonstrating his capability to step up when needed. DeRidder’s solid play has provided crucial support, especially in high-pressure situations.
Overall Grade for Goalies: B
The goaltending duo of Ethan Haider and Drew DeRidder has been instrumental in the Gladiators’ performance this season. Haider’s consistency and DeRidder’s ability to deliver in critical moments have provided the team with a strong last line of defense. Together, this goaltender tandem has been rather fun to watch, and each has shown resilience and skill with some amazing saves, earning them a collective grade of B.
Atlanta Gladiators: Performance Grades and Comparisons
The Atlanta Gladiators have played 41 games this season, with a record of 17 wins and 19 losses, resulting in a win percentage of 41.50%. They have netted 108 goals while conceding 137. In overtime, they have two wins and faced three losses, with an additional one win and two losses in shootouts. Their power play has seen 19 goals from 135 opportunities, yielding a 14.1% success rate. On the penalty kill, they have successfully defended 108 out of 139 opportunities, achieving a 77.7% kill rate. These stats highlight areas of strength and opportunities for improvement as the team progresses through the season.
In the league standings, the Gladiators are currently ranked 20th with a points percentage of 47.6%. They trail behind top teams like Wheeling, Florida, and Trois-Rivières, who have points percentages of 75.0%, 74.3%, and 74.3% respectively. Wheeling leads the league with 26 wins and only eight losses, demonstrating their dominance with a goals for (GF) of 131 and goals against (GA) of 88. The Gladiators, with 108 GF and 137 GA, have room to improve both offensively and defensively to climb the standings in the second half of the season.
As we reached the midpoint of the 2024-2025 ECHL season, we took time earlier this month to evaluate the performance of the league. This report provided a comprehensive analysis of the Atlanta Gladiators’ performance across various metrics> These include scoring first, power play, penalty kill, goals for and against per game. By comparing the Gladiators’ grades with those of the top teams in the league, we identified areas of strength and opportunities for improvement as they aim to climb the standings in the second half of the season.
[LeagueStat.com Daily Report for the ECHL – Accessed Date 01/13/2025]
Performance When Scoring First: B
As of January 23rd, the Atlanta Gladiators’ win percentage when scoring first has slightly decreased to 72.2%. This still earns them a respectable grade of B, indicating they are quite adept at holding onto early leads and turning them into victories. However, there’s still room for growth to match the league’s top-tier performances. For comparison, Wheeling continues to set the bar high with an impressive win percentage of 91.7%, securing an A grade and demonstrating their dominance in this area. While the Gladiators are effective at maintaining and converting early leads, they need to improve further to compete with the best teams in the league.
Power Play Percentage: D
The Atlanta Gladiators’ power play percentage has improved from 13.2% on January 13th to 14.1% as of January 23rd. While this is a positive development, their grade remains a D, indicating that there is still significant room for improvement. In contrast, Trois-Rivières has excelled in this area with a power play percentage of 28.0%, earning an A grade.
Penalty Kill Percentage: C
The Atlanta Gladiators’ penalty kill percentage has slightly decreased from 78.6% on January 13th to 77.7% as of January 23rd. Despite this change, their grade remains a C, indicating they are somewhat effective at killing penalties but still have room for improvement. In comparison, South Carolina continues to lead the league with a penalty kill percentage of 90.4%, earning them an A grade.
Strategies and Possible Outcomes
You don’t have to crunch the stats to know that enhancing their special teams’ performance can certainly contribute to more wins. If the Atlanta Gladiators can increase their power play success to around 20% and their penalty kill to above 80%, they could convert more scoring opportunities and prevent more goals against. This improvement would lead to a higher win percentage and help their climb in the league standings. With both the power play and penalty kill on track with the top-tier teams in the league, they could secure more points and potentially move into a playoff position.
A part of that is remaining disciplined. The Atlanta Gladiators’ penalty minutes (PIM) of 375 is well below the league average of 501, indicating they are relatively disciplined compared to other teams. Maintaining a lower PIM can be beneficial for the Gladiators as it allows them to focus more on their overall game strategy. By continuing to emphasize discipline and avoiding unnecessary penalties, the Gladiators can improve their chances as the season progresses.
Goals For and Against Per Game: D
As of January 23rd, the Atlanta Gladiators have shown slight changes in their performance metrics. Their goals for per game (GF/G) have increased marginally from 2.61 to 2.63 since January 13th, but this still earns them a grade of D, indicating ongoing offensive struggles. On the defensive side, their goals against per game (GA/G) have risen from 3.24 to 3.34, maintaining a D grade and highlighting defensive challenges.
In comparison, Norfolk leads the league with a GF/G of 4.03, earning an A grade, while Florida tops the league defensively with a GA/G of 2.00, also earning an A grade. Additionally, the Gladiators have an average of 29.85 shots for per game, placing them 16th in the league, and 30.78 shots against per game, placing them 15th. These stats underscore the need for the Gladiators to improve both their scoring efficiency and defensive play to climb the standings.
Overall Team Performance: B-
The Atlanta Gladiators earned a B- grade for their overall performance up to January 13, 2025, which has held steady based on their recent performance. While they have shown resilience and tenacity throughout the season, there is still room for improvement. However, things have definitely looked brighter for the team compared to last season.
Looking Back & Forging Ahead
Last Season (2023-2024)
The Atlanta Gladiators had a tough season, finishing with a win percentage of 31.9%, a significant drop from the previous season’s 48.6%. Their power play success rate was 18.4%, and their penalty kill was at 80.1%. They ended the season ranked 27th in the league, 13th in the conference, and last in their division. The team scored 187 goals and allowed 264 goals.
This Season (2024-2025)
So far, the Gladiators have shown improvement with a win percentage of 41.5% after 41 games. Their power play percentage is currently 14.1%, and their penalty kill is at 77.7%. They are ranked 20th in the league with a points percentage of 47.6%. The team has scored 108 goals and allowed 137 goals.
Key Differences
The team has improved its win percentage, indicating better overall performance. If they maintain their current pace, they could finish the season ahead of last year. While their power play and penalty kill percentages have slightly decreased, they remain competitive. The Gladiators have also moved up in the league standings. Will they make the playoffs? Right now, they are still in the hunt, and compared to last season, that battle is looking more promising than not.
Atlanta Gladiators’ Performance Summary
The Atlanta Gladiators have shown a mix of strengths and areas needing improvement. Their ability to capitalize on scoring first is commendable, earning them a solid B grade in that metric. However, their power play and goals for and against per game highlight significant challenges, reflected in their D grades for those areas. The penalty kill performance is average, with a C grade, indicating additional room for growth for the team. Despite these struggles, the Gladiators’ overall performance has been resilient, earning them a B- grade. By focusing on improving their special teams and defensive strategies, the Atlanta Gladiators can be in a position to elevate their performance in the second half of the season and compete more effectively with the league’s top teams.
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