The Atlanta Gladiators faced off against the Florida Everblades for the second time this week. The last time these teams met, the Atlanta Gladiators fell to the Florida Everblades 5-3. The Gladiators, in search of some much-needed points in the standings, went into tonight’s game looking to gain some ground.
The starting lineup for the Gladiators: Robert Calisti, Dylan Carabia, Cody Sylvester, Mitch Fossier, Micha Miller, and in the net for Atlanta was Brad Barone. The Gladiators would return to the lineup pairing of Sylvester, Fossier, and Miller that had worked so well for the team earlier in the season. Brendan Hoffman would join the line with Navrin Mutter and Reece Vitelli. Robert Calisti would pair with Jacob Graves on the D2 pairing.
Michael Machesan would return from IR while Tyler Harmon remained. Added to the roster for the Gladiators was newly acquired Robert Calisti, who has been loaned to the team from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. Tonight, Zach Yoder was scratched from the lineup.
Period 1
The Atlanta Gladiators would get a shot on the net with a pass to Mitch Walnski made by Nolan Burke, but the puck is knocked down by Johnson’s shoulder. Micha Miller would get another scoring chance moments later but just puts the shot wide of the net.
Five minutes into the game, Navrin Mutter is sent to the box for interference, sending the Gladiators to the PK. Later, the Everblades appeared to have struck first at 5:36 of the first period, but the slapshot goal attempt made by Brett Davis was waved off due to goaltender interference. After being reviewed by the referees further, the call on the ice would stand. The Gladiators would successfully kill the penalty and return to even strength.
After the initial 20 minutes of play, both the Gladiators and the Everblades left the ice scoreless.
Period 1 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 5
Florida – 13
Period 2
At 11:53 of the second period, Atlanta would secure the 1-0 lead with Mitch Walinski’s fourth goal of the season, hitting its mark off the rebound. This would be Walinski’s second in two games against the Everblades and his fourth this season as a Gladiator. Griffin Luce and Jack Matier are credited with the assist.
The Gladiators go on the PK after Michael Marcheson is sent to the box after being called for hooking. Reece Vitelli and Micah Miller make a run onto the net and nearly get the shorthanded chance to score, but the play ends as Vitelli shoots wide. However, Everglades would take advantage moments later as Cam Hausinger scored the goal for Florida, and we were now tied at 1-1 (15:46).
After some back-and-forth saves by both sides, Florida’s Andrew Fyten earns the lead for the Everblades, following yet another disallowed goal, which was the second goal that was called off during the game. The score is now 2-1 in favor of the Everblades (18:08).
Navrin Mutter would get called for roughing after going up against Everblades’ Chris Orbodobadi, and the Gladiators would go on to the PK. However, we finished the frame with no change in score, as it remained 2-1 Florida.
Period 2 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 11
Florida – 7
Period 3
Early into the third period, Everblabde’s advantage was nullified by former Everblade Robert Calisti, who got his debut goal for the Gladiators, resulting in a 2-2 tie (3:28). Mitch Fossier and Cody Sylvester were the helpers on the game’s equalizing goal.
The Everblades have another goal called off after a premature Celly by Florida. Barone had the puck and prevented it from crossing the goal line with his skate. Moments later, the Everblades knock Barone into the net, and the goal attempt is yet again ruled no-goal by officials.
Logan Lambdin made a goal attempt that Barone had readily blocked. The Gladiators persist, leading to another shot on goal by Fossier, which Cam Johnson impressively saved, also blocking a subsequent attempt by Walinski moments later. Johnson’s skillful saves prevented the Gladiators from gaining the lead. After Griffin Luce takes a questionable hit by Everblades’ Chris Orbodobadi, he momentarily leaves the ice but does return to the bench moments later. No penalty is called against Orbodobadi for the action on Luce.
Goaltender Barone makes a jaw-dropping rolling dive to make the save once more after the shot attempt by Florida’s Bobo Carpenter.
Cranford makes a shot on the net, and Johnson takes it down. Later on, the odd-man rush attempt made by Florida’s Carpenter is killed by Barone, with no scoring chance given. The period remained tied 2-2 after regulation, and we headed into overtime. This is the second OT for the Gladiators and the first seen on home ice.
Period 3 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 12
Florida – 10
Overtime
The Gladiators head into their second OT this season, and it’s their first time at home. Sylvester, Calisiti, and Fossier are on the ice for the Gladiators, while Pendena, Fyten, and Holway are playing for Florida as the 3-on-3 bonus frame begins.
At 3:10 into OT, Joe Pendenza, after a pass from Riese Zmolek in the defensive end, slid the puck past the clutches of the Gladiators, and scored the game-winning goal. The Atlanta Gladiators fell to the Florida Everblades in the extra frame, 3-2.
Overtime – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 1
Florida – 6
Takeaways:
- The second and third periods were extremely high energy for these Atlanta Gladiators, and this was rather consistent throughout each. The Gladiators did not seem to take their foot off the gas, helping to keep them in the game and sending them into Overtime, where they were able to gain a much-needed point.
- More depth production from the Atlanta Gladiators, helped by the addition of Calisti’s goal in the second period, especially late in the game.
- Brad Barone made some exciting saves all night, one being a diving save to stop the puck in the third.
- Need some faceoff wins to help increase their scoring chances.
- Total shots on goal – Atlanta with 29, Florida with 36.
The Atlanta Gladiators hit the road to face the Jacksonville Icemen for a 6:05 PM puck drop on Saturday, January 6th. They return to their home ice on Sunday, January 7th, as they drop the puck that afternoon at Gas South Arena at 3 PM.
