The Atlanta Gladiators will be facing off against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA.
Where to Watch/Listen
Tune in to FloHockey or listen live on the respective broadcast networks to catch all the action!
TV/Streaming: FloHockey
Listen Live: Atlanta Gladiators Broadcast
Listen Live: Greenville Swamp Rabbits Broadcast
Swamp Rabbits vs. Gladiators: Playoff Stakes High
On January 18, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits faced the Atlanta Gladiators at Gas South Arena in their most recent South Division matchup. The Gladiators took an early lead in the game with a goal from Ryan Cranford, but the Swamp Rabbits responded with two goals in the second period. Despite a disallowed goal early in the third, Cody Sylvester tied the game for Atlanta. The match ended in a 2-2 tie after regulation and overtime, but the Swamp Rabbits won 3-2 in the shootout. The season record between these two teams now stands at 3-3-0-2 heading in to Thursday night’s game.
A win is crucial for both the Atlanta Gladiators (20-22-4-2) and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-21-3-2) at this stage of the season. For the Gladiators, currently in 5th place, a win would help solidify their position and potentially move up in the standings, improving their playoff chances. The points gained with this game are vital for building a buffer against teams below them, such as the Savannah Ghost Pirates, who are just two points behind. For the Swamp Rabbits, in 7th place and five points behind Atlanta, a win is essential to close the gap and keep their playoff hopes alive. Both teams need a win to enhance their playoff prospects, gain crucial points, and build momentum for the remainder of the season.
Atlanta Gladiators’ Team Performance
In spite of the current record, Atlanta Gladiators have been a force to reckon with this season, netting an impressive 123 goals. Their offensive prowess is evident, and they’ve shown they can seize opportunities with three shorthanded goals. However, their power play percentage of 13% suggests there’s room to sharpen their edge in these critical moments. Defensively, their penalty kill percentage stands at 79%, indicating a solid but not unbeatable defense.
When playing on home ice, the Gladiators’ power play percentage is 15.9%. This shows they face challenges in capitalizing on power play opportunities at home. On the flip side, their home penalty kill percentage of 81.4% demonstrates a commendable ability to fend off opponents’ power plays, making them a tough team to score against in their own arena.
Team Updates
For the Atlanta Gladiators, Dysen Skinner, a goaltender, has recently signed a contract, adding additional goalie depth to their roster. Meanwhile, Ethan Haider has been placed on reserve. Forwards Eric Neiley and Easton Armstrong have been placed on a 3-day injured reserve, and forward Patriks Marcinkevics has been moved from a 3-day to a 14-day injured reserve. Additionally, the recent trade bringing forward Simon Boyko from the Rapid City Rush to Atlanta could add some fresh energy to the team.
Key Players – Atlanta Gladiators
Top Forwards for Atlanta Gladiators
Cody Sylvester is the leading forward for the Atlanta Gladiators, with 35 points (18G, 17A) in 48 games. Notably, Sylvester leads the league with seven game-winning goals, making him a clutch player in critical moments. His ability to score and assist makes him a crucial player on the ice. Sylvester also has six power play goals, showcasing his effectiveness during power play situations.
Blake Murray has also been a significant contributor, with 28 points (12G, 16A) in 42 games. His offensive skills and ability to find the back of the net are essential for the Gladiators. Murray has also scored three power play goals, adding to his value during power play opportunities.
Joey Cipollone steps up as another key forward with 23 points (9G, 14A) in 46 games. His ability to contribute both goals and assists makes him a valuable player for the team. Cipollone has also scored one shorthanded goal, highlighting his versatility.
Top Defensemen for Atlanta Gladiators
Derek Topatigh has been a standout defenseman, recording 30 points (6G, 24A) in 47 games. His positive plus/minus rating of +7 indicates his effectiveness on the ice, and he has also contributed one power play goal.
Anthony Firriolo has also made significant contributions with 13 points (3G, 10A) in 29 games. His solid defensive play is reflected in his +9 rating, and he has one game-winning goal to his name.
Goaltending
For the Atlanta Gladiators, Drew DeRidder is expected to be the goaltender, having played 23 games with a 3.00 goals-against average (GAA) and a .905 save percentage.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Team Performance
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have also had a strong season, scoring 115 goals. They match the Gladiators in shorthanded goals with 3 and have a slightly better power play percentage at 18%, highlighting their efficiency in these situations. Their penalty kill percentage of 81% shows they are adept at defending against power plays.
On the road, the Swamp Rabbits excel with a power play percentage of 19.4%, indicating they thrive in away games when given a man advantage. Their road penalty kill percentage of 81.0% shows consistency in their defensive efforts, making them a formidable opponent regardless of the venue.
Key Players – Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Top Defensemen for Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Bryce Brodzinski is the leading forward for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 44 games. Brodzinski has been a key offensive player, contributing three power play goals and nine shootout goals. His ability to score and assist makes him a crucial player on the ice.
Tate Singleton has also been a significant contributor, with 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 33 games. Singleton’s high points per game average of 0.85 and his two power play goals highlight his offensive prowess. He also has a shorthanded goal, showcasing his versatility and ability to perform in various situations.
Carter Savoie is another top forward, with 26 points (14G, 12A) in 33 games. Savoie has been particularly effective on the power play, scoring five power play goals. Additionally, he is currently on a four-game goal streak (4G) and a six-game point streak (5G, 3A), making him a hot player to watch.
Top Defensemen for Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Parker Berge has been a standout defenseman, recording 30 points (6G, 24A) in 42 games. His positive plus/minus rating of +2 indicates his effectiveness on the ice, and he has also contributed 1 power play goal and a game-winning goal.
Bobby Russell has also made significant contributions with 10 points (2G, 8A) in 28 games. Russell’s ability to assist and contribute offensively is valuable to the team. He has also scored one game-winning goal, adding to his importance in crucial moments.
Goaltending
For the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Dryden McKay stands out as the top goaltender, with 32 games played, 11 wins, a 3.00 GAA, and a .909 save percentage. Jacob Ingham provides additional depth, having played 16 games with seven wins, a 3.27 GAA, and a .906 save percentage.
Prediction
The Atlanta Gladiators have a strong chance of winning this game, leveraging their home ice advantage and solid defensive play. Key players like Cody Sylvester, who leads the league with seven game-winning goals, and Blake Murray, with his consistent offensive contributions, will be crucial. Joey Cipollone’s versatility adds depth to their forward lineup, while Derek Topatigh and Anthony Firriolo provide stability on defense. Despite the absence of forwards Eric Neiley and Patriks Marcinkevics due to injuries, the team remains well-positioned to take the win.
However, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits pose significant threats in the form of Bryce Brodzinski and Carter Savoie, and the added dangers of Savoie who is currently on a hot streak. The Swamp Rabbits excel on the road with a strong power play percentage, and their defense, led by Parker Berge and Bobby Russell, can be formidable. Goaltender Dryden McKay’s solid performance in net will be a challenge for the Gladiators should he be minding the net.
Considering these factors, the divisional matchup is likely to be closely contested. The Gladiators’ home advantage and key player performances might give them the edge, but they will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by the Swamp Rabbits.
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