ECHL Game Recap: Atlanta Gladiators vs. Jacksonville Icemen | 01/10/2025

The Jacksonville Icemen hosted an exciting ECHL matchup as the Icemen faced off against the Atlanta Gladiators. The Icemen celebrated a special throwback night, turning back the clock to the 1990s to honor the Jacksonville Lizard Kings by donning special Lizard King-themed jerseys for the occasion.

Both teams showcased their skills in a high-stakes battle, with standout performances from players like Garrett Van Wyhe and Chris Grando for Jacksonville, and Easton Armstrong and Blake Murray for Atlanta. It was an action-packed evening of hockey, filled with intense moments provided by both sides.

Starting Lines

Jacksonville Icemen/Lizard Kings (JAX): Noah Laaouan, Brayden Hislop, Chris Grando, Garrett Van Wyhe, Olivier Nadeau, and Michael Houser (Goalie)

Atlanta Gladiators (ATL): Jeremy Hanzel, Dylan Carabia, Carson Denomie, Jackson Pierson, Ryan Cranford, and Ethan Haider (Goalie)

Period 1

Logan Cockerill charged towards Ethan Haider’s net early in the game, but Haider managed to make the save. Derek Topatigh delivered a strong defensive play, preventing the Lizard Kings from reaching the goal. The Gladiators earned an early power play shortly after, as Noah Laaouan was penalized for tripping at 3:01. Chris Grando attempted a backhand shot on goal, but once again, Haider was there to block it. Connor Russell fell, leading to a tripping call against Atlanta’s Michael Marchesan at 5:47.

After that, Robbie Calisti took a shot at Haider, which was skillfully deflected as the teams returned to full strength. However, at 8:04, Jacksonville earned a power play when Anthony Firriolo sent the puck out of play, resulting in a delay of game penalty for Atlanta. Fortunately, the Gladiators successfully killed off the penalty. Yet again, the Lizard Kings quickly found themselves with another opportunity on the man advantage, as Firriolo returned to the sin bin for interference at 10:07. The Lizard Kings scored during the power play after two impressive saves by Haider, with the third shot, taken by Chris Grando, finding the net. Olivier Nadeau and Davis Koch provided the assists at 11:06. The Lizard Kings take the lead 1-0.

The Lizard Kings will head to the penalty kill shortly after the scoring play, as Ty Cheveldayoff is called for cross-checking. Cody Sylvester and Blake Murray nearly get the equalizer on Houser, but the netminder was able to keep the Gladiators at bay. Patriks Marcinkevics and Easton Armstrong made a strong attempt at the net, but unfortunately, Armstrong’s shot struck the crossbar.

Easton Armstrong nets a goal for the Atlanta Gladiators, leveling the score at 1-1, with an assist from Blake Murray (16:56).

Later, Ryan Cranford and Carson Denomie create an odd-man rush but fail to convert it into a goal. However, Grando, proving deadly on the puck, sends it past Haider at 19:32, raising the score to 2-1. Nadeau and Garrett Van Wyhe provided the assists.

Period 2

Garrett Van Wyhe puts the Lizard Kings up by two goals after Jacksonville relentlessly pressured the Gladiators in the opening minutes of the period. At 5:18, Van Wyhe found the back of the net with assists from Ivan Chukarov and Grando, making the score 3-1 in favor of Jacksonville. In a dramatic moment, Derek Topatigh and Cheveldayoff crashed to the ice, with Topatigh losing his helmet in the process. There was no call on the play.

A one-timer by Calisti is stopped by Haider, followed by a line change by the Gladiators moments later. Grando, aiming for a natural hat trick, made his attempt on Haider, but he too was denied by Atlanta’s netminder. Murray nearly got past Houser a few minutes later, but was unable to connect with the net. Dylan Carabia unleashed a powerful shot, but Houser made an incredible save, denying Carabia’s attempt to find the back of the net. Brenden Datema made a crucial block, stopping the shot attempt on the net. Firriolo fires a shot on net, followed by Cranford, but Houser stood tall and kept the gates closed.

Houser faced intense pressure from the Gladiators as they unleashed several shots, desperately trying to find the back of the net in a fierce battle in front of the goal. Haider snatched the subsequent shot by the Lizard Kings with a glove stop. Noah Laaouan intercepted Jackson Pierson before he could execute his play. Connor Galloway charged down the ice and set up Marchesan, but Houser swiftly made a glove save on the shot. With just over a minute remaining, the Gladiators gained a man advantage after Brayden Hislop was called for tripping at 15:57. A backhanded shot by Jeremy Hanzel was stopped by Houser just as the buzzer sounded to end the middle frame.

Period 3

Blake Murray sent one high into the netting as the Gladiators worked the puck during the remainder of the power play in the second period before the Lizard Kings returned to full strength. Marcinkevics fired a shot, but on the rebound, Houser fumbled the puck, almost gifting Atlanta a prime scoring chance. The crowd held its breath as Zach Yoder found himself with a clear shot on goal, but he missed.

A drop pass by Murray created another chance at the goal, but he was just unable to find the net. The Gladiators are gaining the momentum they need, and it’s not uncommon for this team to find their stride in the final frame. During the subsequent play, Yoder was cross-checked by Laaouan, with no call on the play, adding intensity to the action. Moments later, Carabia was also cross-checked with no call on the play.

Datema made the shot on the play, and Logan Cockerill snagged the puck, passing it to Chris Brown, who scored the fourth goal for the Lizard Kings over the glove of Haider at 8:32.

The score now stood at 4-1 in favor of Jacksonville. Pierson passed to Datema, and there was a penalty on the play as Chase Lang was called for hooking.

Later, Joey Cipollone, on a high stick, thought he got a goal, but it was waived off by the official. Upon review, the call stood. As the period ended, Jacksonville secured the win, with the Lizard Kings finishing with a final score of 4-1.

Three Stars of the Game:

1. C. Grando (Jacksonville): Led the game with two goals and an assist, earning the first star of the game.
2. M. Houser (Jacksonville): Made 25 saves, providing a solid performance in net and securing the second star.
3. G. Van Wyhe (Jacksonville): Contributed a goal and an assist, earning the third star.

Game Summary

Jacksonville took an early lead in the first period with a power play goal by Grando, assisted by Nadeau and Koch at 11:06. Atlanta responded with a goal from Armstrong, assisted by Murray at 16:56. However, Jacksonville regained the lead with another goal from Grando, assisted by Nadeau and Van Wyhe at 19:32, ending the first period 2-1 in favor of Jacksonville. In the second period, Jacksonville extended their lead with a goal from Van Wyhe, assisted by Chukarov and Grando at 5:18. The third period saw Jacksonville solidify their victory with a goal from Brown, assisted by Cockerill at 8:32, making the final score 4-1.

Jacksonville outshot Atlanta 34-26, with period shots of 10-9, 12-10, and 12-7 respectively. Jacksonville capitalized on one of their three power play opportunities, while Atlanta was unable to score on any of their four chances. Jacksonville’s strong performance was highlighted by Grando’s two goals and an assist, Houser’s 25 saves, and Van Wyhe’s goal and assist. Despite Armstrong’s goal for Atlanta, Jacksonville’s offensive pressure and solid defense secured their 4-1 victory.

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