Following their victory against Trois-Rivières the previous night, the Atlanta Gladiators competed against the Trois-Rivières Lions for the second time at Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on Saturday afternoon. The Atlanta Gladiator’s starting lineup remained the same as yesterday, with Cody Sylvester, Jackson Pierson, Ryan Cranford, and Brad Barone again taking up the goalkeeper position. Unfortunately, Tyler Harmon remains on Injured Reserve. For Trois-Rivières, it was Zachary Bouthillier who was between the pipes.
Period 1
The Gladiators would get a 2-minute penalty for tripping early on as Navrin Mutter heads to the box, sending the team on the penalty kill. They would successfully kill that penalty and return to full strength with no change in score. Michael Marchesan had a chance on the net, but Lions’ Zachary Bouthillier put a stopper on it. Jack Matier does the same a few moments later after Reece Vitelli slides a pass his way, but the Trois-Rivières’ goaltender does not allow the puck through. Jackson Pierson and Ryan Cranford made a solid rush on Bouthillier but were denied solidly. Reece Vitelli does the same moments later, in front of the net, but again, the offensive efforts of the Gladiators are shut down.
The Gladiators head to the PP, and after Trois-Rivières gets two minutes, they are called for slashing. The Gladiators attempt a one-timer, but the play by Ryan Cranford does not go through. Propkop looks for Sylvester, who sends it to Pierson, but the Gladiators are unable to make the play on the net. Mitch Walinski makes the interception but heads to the penalty box after being called for cross-checking, sending the Gladiators on the PK for the second time. Goalie Brad Barone stops back-to-back shots on the net by Trois-Rivières, instrumental in helping the defense shut down the Lions’ PP. The Gladiators are back to full strength.
Trois-Rivières ties up Jack Matier, drawing a penalty, and now the Gladiators are on the PP. Luke Prokop and Cody Sylvester make several gaol attempts but cannot make it past the Lions goaltender. The Gladiators’ Navrin Mutter made a shot on goal with just seconds left in the period, but Bouthillier, the Lions’ netminder, made the stop. As the clock ran out, the period ended with no score.
Period 1 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 11
Trois-Rivières – 5
Period 2
Jackson Pierson wins the initial draw for the Gladiators. After a few solid starting shifts, the Gladiators continue to drive the puck and make offensive advances on the Lions’ end of the ice. Griffin Luce shoots on the net from the left side and is denied by Bouthillier. Barone makes the stop moments later after a Gladiators’ turnover gives the Lions a shooting chance. Trois-Rivières would end the scoring drought, getting past Barone’s legs with a shot made by Alex-Olivier Voyer. The Lions take the lead 1-0 (4:59).
The Gladiators got a penalty called on Zach Yoder shortly after that for hooking and headed to the PK for the third time. They kill the penalty with no change in score. Reece Vitelli immediately shoots seconds later, and Bouthillier makes the save. Mitch Walinski shoots on the net, nearly catching Bouthillier unaware, but the goalie finds the stop. The Trois-Rivières Lions’ make their third trip to the sin bin after the call for interference is made. Cody Sylvester ties it up on the PP, bringing the score 1-1 (11:14). After an official review, the goal stands. Jack Matier and Luke Prokop will get the assist credit on that goal. Atlanta gets the odd-man rush moments later but is stopped by the Lions.
The Lions quickly regained the lead thanks to Justin Ducharme’s goal, making it 2-1 at 13:14. Soon after, Jakov Novak made a wrap-around attempt and scored the following goal, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of the Lions at 15:44. However, the excitement didn’t stop there. Griffin Luce and Nicolas Lariviere engaged in a heated conversation, leading to a physical altercation that resulted in both players being sent to the sin bin. We close the middle period at 3-1, with Trois-Rivières in the lead.
Period 2 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 6
Trois-Rivières – 17
Period 3
As the Gladiators attempt to catch up to the Lions, they become more aggressive offensively. Trois-Rivières offers the Gladiators a PP chance, but Barone manages to stop the Lions’ drive on the net twice despite repeated shots. The Lions successfully ended the PP opportunity for the Gladiators without giving up any points. At 14:19, the Gladiators’ Dylan Carabia is penalized for holding, resulting in another PK opportunity for the Gladiators. The Lions converted on the PK moments later, and Trois-Rivières now leads 4-1 as Nolan Yaremko hits it past Barone (7:23).
With more than half of the period gone, the Gladiators made every attempt to make something happen, but the Lions kept them on their heels for much of the back half of the frame. Luke Prokop gets called for Delay of Games, and the Lions gain another man advantage. Seconds later, the Lions got a penalty for tripping. Dylan Carabia gets a chance but is unable to make it past Bouthillier. Jackson Pierson nets the PP goal and has put the Gladiators within two points on the rebound with only 2 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in regulation. Ryan Cranford and Cody Sylvester are credited with the assist. The Gladiators won the draw and worked the puck towards the goal. Prokop took the shot, but unfortunately, Bouthillier was there to make the save. The Gladiators pulled Barone from the net, and Trois-Rivières Lions would make the empty net goal with a shot by Justin Ducharme (18:50).
The Gladiators fell to the Lions 5-2 after making a late rally in the last moments of the final frame.
Period 3 – Shots on Goal:
Atlanta – 9
Trois-Rivières – 12
Three Stars of the Game:
1. TR – N. Yaremko
2. TR – M. Boucher
3. TR – J. Novak
Takeaways:
- Once again, penalties by the Gladiators netted scoring opportunities for their opponents. Trois-Rivières managed to capitalize while having a man advantage.
- The Gladiators’ two goals were both made on the PP chances they were given, which is a positive worth noting from today’s game.
The Gladiators will return to their home ice on Sunday, January 19th, as they face off that evening against the Jacksonville Icemen at Gas South Arena at 7:30 PM.
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