ECHL Game Recap: Atlanta Gladiators vs Florida Everblades | 04/11/2025

The Atlanta Gladiators dropped their second straight game to the Florida Everblades on Friday night at Hertz Arena, falling 5–2 in another physical, high-pressure contest. The Everblades jumped out to a quick lead and never trailed, getting goals from five different players and strong goaltending from Will Cranley. Florida got goals from Alex Kile, Colton Hargrove, Jesse Lansdell, Andrew Fyten, and a power-play strike from Kyle Betts. Despite power-play goals from Jackson Pierson and Ryan Francis, the Gladiators were once again held to under 30 shots and struggled to match Florida’s speed and depth.

First Period

The Florida Everblades wasted no time striking first. Just 1:09 into the game, Alex Kile drove to the slot and buried a centering feed from Jesse Lansdell, snapping the puck past Ethan Haider’s right side to ignite the crowd and give the Everblades an early 1–0 lead. It was Kile’s 17th goal of the season.

GOAL (1:09): Alex Kile (FLA), assisted by Jesse Lansdell

Midway through the period, Florida doubled the lead. After a sequence along the boards involving Atlanta’s Alex Young, Cole Moberg gained control of the puck and delivered a feed to Colton Hargrove, who buried it past Haider for his 12th goal of the season.

GOAL (15:04): Colton Hargrove (FLA), assisted by Cole Moberg

The Atlanta Gladiators generated 10 shots in the frame but couldn’t solve Cranley, and the Florida Everblades carried a 2–0 lead into the break.

First Period Stats

Score: Florida 2, Atlanta 0
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 10, Florida 8
Power Plays: Florida 0/1, Atlanta 0/1
Penalties: Florida 1, Atlanta 1

Second Period

The Atlanta Gladiators came out with energy to start the second and got on the board early thanks to a power-play opportunity. A bouncing puck found its way to Jackson Pierson, who settled it just outside the circle before snapping it past Will Cranley for his 10th of the season.

GOAL (0:39): Jackson Pierson (ATL), unassisted – Power Play

However, Florida answered back on their own man advantage later in the period. Kyle Betts finished off a passing sequence with a goal at 9:23, assisted by Colin Theisen and Jordan Sambrook, pushing the lead back to two. While not credited with an assist, Jesse Lansdell may have helped initiate the sequence that led to Kyle Betts’ power-play goal, moving the puck ahead before Colin Theisen and Jordan Sambrook connected to set up the finish.

GOAL (9:23): Kyle Betts (FLA), assisted by Colin Theisen and Jordan Sambrook – Power Play

Despite a couple more scoring chances for Atlanta, the Everblades held strong and took a 3–1 lead into the third.

Second Period Stats

Score: Florida 1, Atlanta 1
Shots on Goal: Florida 12, Atlanta 8
Power Plays: Florida 1/1, Atlanta 1/1
Penalties: Florida 1, Atlanta 1

Third Period

Florida extended their lead early in the third when Alex Kile returned the favor and set up Jesse Lansdell for a quick strike just 1:36 into the period.

GOAL (1:36): Jesse Lansdell (FLA), assisted by Alex Kile

Midway through the third, Atlanta pulled within two. Ryan Francis carried the puck in, froze the defender, and ripped a shot past the right shoulder of Will Cranley for his 13th of the season.

GOAL (11:45): Ryan Francis (ATL), unassisted

Trailing 4–2, Atlanta pulled their goalie late, but Florida’s Andrew Fyten sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:49, assisted by Dillon Hamaliuk.

GOAL (19:49): Andrew Fyten (FLA), assisted by Dillon Hamaliuk – Empty Net

Third Period Stats

Score: Florida 2, Atlanta 1
Shots on Goal: Florida 10, Atlanta 7
Power Plays: Florida 0/0, Atlanta 0/1
Penalties: Florida 2, Atlanta 1

Final Stats

Score: Florida 5, Atlanta 2
Shots on Goal: Florida 30, Atlanta 25
Power Plays: Florida 1/2, Atlanta 1/3
Penalties: Florida 4, Atlanta 3

Goaltending Summary

Will Cranley (FLA) stopped 23 of 25 shots in a steady performance, earning his win in just under 60 minutes of work.

Ethan Haider (ATL) made 25 saves on 29 shots before Florida added an empty-net goal with just 11 seconds left in regulation.

Game Summary

Florida secured their second straight win over Atlanta with a balanced offensive effort, scoring five goals from five different players and outshooting the Gladiators 30–25. The Everblades went 1/2 on the power play, while Atlanta converted once on three chances. Will Cranley made 23 saves for the win, while Ethan Haider stopped 25 of 29 in the loss. Ryan Francis and Jackson Pierson scored for Atlanta, but the team couldn’t claw back from an early deficit.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Alex Kile (FLA) – 1 goal, 1 assist
2. Kyle Betts (FLA) – 1 goal, strong play on both ends
3. Colton Hargrove (FLA) – 1 goal, physical presence all game

Up Next

The three-game series wraps up on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as the Atlanta Gladiators take on the Florida Everblades one final time this weekend at Hertz Arena. Puck drops at 7:00 PM EDT.