With just a few weeks remaining in the ECHL regular season, the Atlanta Gladiators find themselves on the edge of the playoff picture—fighting to stay in contention while their fate increasingly hinges on the outcome of games happening around the league. Following a strong midseason push, Atlanta now sits in sixth place in the South Division with 59 points, tied with Savannah but holding a game in hand and a slight edge in points percentage (.484 vs. .476). Orlando currently occupies the fourth and final playoff spot with 76 points and only seven games remaining on their schedule.
The South Division playoff picture is shaping up fast. Florida leads with 92 points through 63 games, closely trailed by South Carolina with 91 points in 62 games. Jacksonville rounds out the top three with 84 points in 63 games. All three have already clinched playoff spots, leaving only one berth up for grabs in the division.
That final spot currently belongs to Orlando, who, despite a comfortable point cushion, face a challenging close to the season with limited games left. Atlanta and Savannah, both sitting at 59 points, are the top challengers. Atlanta holds the edge for now thanks to an extra game remaining and a slightly higher points percentage. Meanwhile, Greenville has 54 points in 62 games and remains technically alive, though their recent skid makes a postseason run very unlikely.
Gladiators Shake Up Roster Ahead of Final Stretch
As the playoff race intensifies, the Atlanta Gladiators made a significant roster move, acquiring forwards Alex Young and Ryan Francis from the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for forward Blake Murray.
Young, 23, brings a mix of collegiate scoring and early pro experience to the lineup. He’s posted 24 points (9g, 15a) in 43 games with Adirondack this season and previously starred at Colgate University, where he led the team with 39 points in his final year. Francis, also 23, joins Atlanta after tallying 16 points (10g, 6a) in 30 games with the Thunder. A former Calgary Flames draft pick, Francis previously played in the South Division with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, recording 21 points in 30 games last season.
In return, the Gladiators parted ways with Blake Murray, who tallied 37 points (14g, 23a) in 55 games this season. After a very short stop in Adirondack, Murray was later moved again prior to the trade deadline to the Fort Wayne Komets, where he’ll continue his season in the Central Division.
The additions of Young and Francis bolster Atlanta’s forward group as the team makes its final push for a postseason berth.
Wednesday’s Results Provide a Glimmer
Atlanta caught a break on Wednesday, March 19, as both Greenville and Orlando suffered losses. Orlando’s 3–2 defeat to Jacksonville kept them at 76 points, while Greenville’s 5–1 loss to Florida ensured they remained at 54 points. Though Atlanta did not play this week, the results slightly improved their position heading into a critical weekend.
Scoreboard Watching: Friday’s Crucial Matchups
While the Gladiators are idle on Friday, March 21, they’ll be paying close attention to the scoreboard:
- Greenville travels to South Carolina, and a loss would help keep Atlanta five points ahead.
- Savannah hosts Florida in a pivotal clash; a win would move them ahead of Atlanta in the standings.
- Orlando is off, meaning no change to their total, but fewer opportunities left for others to catch them.
Depending on how these results shake out, Atlanta could drop to seventh in the South Division by the end of Friday night—or remain alive and well in the race.
What Atlanta Needs
With now only 11 games left on their schedule, Atlanta can finish the season with a maximum of 81 points. For the Gladiators to have a realistic shot at the playoffs, they will need to win the vast majority of their remaining games while hoping Orlando stumbles. If the Solar Bears pick up more than 4–5 points in their final seven contests, it could shut the door on Atlanta’s chances.
Savannah remains equally in the mix and, like Atlanta, will need help from other teams in addition to stringing together their own wins. With both teams facing Orlando and each other down the stretch, the situation is still fluid, but every point is critical.
Upcoming Schedule: The Path Is Tough, But There Is One
Atlanta’s final stretch features games directly against the teams they’re chasing, offering both opportunity and danger.
Key Games:
- March 26 vs. Orlando – A must-win School Day showdown at Gas South Arena.
- March 28 & 29 vs. Greenville – A away-and-home series that could eliminate one or both clubs.
- April 2 & 4 vs. Orlando – Two more chances to directly cut into the Solar Bears’ lead.
- April 5 & 6 vs. Greenville and Jacksonville – Both meaningful, with playoff lives and seeding on the line.
- April 9–12 @ Florida (3-game series) – A tough test late in the season against one of the league’s best.
- April 13 @ Savannah – This finale could be a do-or-die showdown for the final playoff berth.
Final Thoughts
Atlanta’s playoff hopes are still hanging by a thread, but they’re not dead yet. The Gladiators have the head-to-head matchups they need to climb back into contention, but there’s no more room for error. With Savannah pushing and Orlando trying to hang on, the next three weeks will determine whether Atlanta pulls off the comeback—or watches the postseason from home.
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