ECHL Game Recap: Atlanta Gladiators vs Worcester Railers | 02/07/2025

The Atlanta Gladiators came into tonight’s game against the Worcester Railers looking to bounce back after a tough loss on Wednesday. Despite their hard work in the third period, they fell short against the Railers, who secured the 3-2 victory. The Railers’ strong performance in the third period, with goals from Matt DeMelis and Connor Welsh, sealed their win. Despite a late goal from Connor Galloway, the Gladiators couldn’t bridge the difference to secure the win.

Period 1

Early on, Connor Galloway took a remarkable shot at the goal, but Michael Bullion expertly made the block. Easton Armstrong sent the puck over to Blake Murray, but Bullion was quick to intercept and prevent the scoring chance by the Gladiators.

The Gladiators continued the pressure and struck first at 10:56 when Jackson Pierson scored with assists from Andrew Jarvis and Ryan Cranford, putting the score at 1-0.

The Gladiators got their first powerplay after that goal when Anthony Callin was called for tripping at 13:44. Worcester successfully killed that penalty, putting some shorthanded pressure on DeRidder, which he was able to stop as they returned to full strength.

Worcester got their first opportunity on the man advantage as Zach Yoder headed to the box after Atlanta was called for Delay of Game at 16:15. DeRidder made a nice stop on a shot by the Railers as Atlanta continued to kill the penalty. DeRidder stopped the puck again, and although it got loose, Atlanta was able to help clear it.

Yoder was released from the box, and later, Hausinger had a quick chance at the net, but Bullion made the stop. Moments later, Cole Donhauser got up in front of DeRidder, which Atlanta did not appreciate, leading to some words exchanged behind the net as the two teams squared off. Minors were handed out on each side after that, with Donhauser receiving a slashing minor at 19:36 and Murray getting a roughing minor at 19:36.

We ended the period with Atlanta leading, 1-0.

Period 2

We started the period with Murray and Donhauser in the box, serving the remaining 1:37 of their penalties, resulting in a 4-on-4 situation at puck drop. On an intercept by the Railers, Kaplan led a breakaway that DeRidder was able to stop not once, but twice.

Murray passed to Denomie, who almost had a chance, but Bullion made the stop. Callin, on the other end, had a shot on DeRidder that looked tough to stop, but the netminder was there for the save. We had a brief stoppage after that due to a helmet issue for DeRidder.

Galloway made a sweet setup to Michael Marchesan for a scoring opportunity, but they missed. Sylvester had chance number one on Bullion, then on the follow-up, Hernández had his own, but that was denied as well.

Jackson Pierson would be the one to find the net, bringing the Gladiators up by a score of 2-0 with his second of the night, assisted by Denomie and Jeremy Hanzel at 6:00.

Brian Mahshie went up and over the blocker side of DeRidder, bringing the Railers on the board and making our score 2-1 at 8:36. The goal was Mahshie’s third of the season, assisted by Callin and Riley Ginnell.

Galloway received a two-minute minor penalty for slashing (61.2) at 10:35, sending the Gladiators on the penalty kill. The Gladiators killed off that penalty well, and Galloway returned to the ice. With a few minutes remaining in the middle frame, both teams tried to get some syncing to happen.

Cipollone turned the puck over later and nearly got snagged for a penalty, but none was called. However, just a few moments later, he did receive a penalty for tripping, sending the Gladiators back on the penalty kill at 19:45.

We had some skirmish happening at the end of the frame, with the refs breaking it up, and the score remained 2-1 in favor of Atlanta as we closed the period out.

Period 3

Period 3

Atlanta successfully killed off the penalty as Cipollone returned to full strength. Murray took a shot high above Bullion’s blocker side, but it went wide of the net.

Another penalty was called as Andrew Jarvis received a two-minute minor for slashing at 3:48. The Railers wasted no time, capitalizing on the power play just 14 seconds in. A quick pass to the right found Anthony Repaci, who fired a shot high above DeRidder, tying the game at two goals each. The goal came at 4:02, with assists from Callin and Jordan Kaplan.

Marchesan and Callin dropped the gloves after exchanging words not long after that goal, but the officials quickly broke it up following the hit on Topatigh. Both Marchesan and Callin received five-minute majors for fighting at 7:10. Another penalty occurred moments later as Worcester’s Matt DeMelis received a two-minute minor for holding at 8:30.

Not to be outdone, Atlanta received one more penalty as Hernández was called for high-sticking at 8:51. Atlanta was able to clear that penalty off as well, and Hernández skated back out onto the ice. However, it was not long before the Gladiators were on the penalty kill again, this time due to a slashing penalty on Zach Yoder at 11:44.

Back to full strength, Sylvester stretched out for some room to work the puck, and Atlanta just hit the post on a shot by Firriolo. The Railers got a chance to take the lead with a shot by Mark Cheremeta, but DeRidder expertly made the save. Carson Demonie passed the puck to Jarvis, but the shot on net missed. Cranford worked it over to Denomie, but he was unable to get to the net.

Seconds remained in the period, but neither team got the go-ahead goal, so the game went to overtime.

Overtime

The intensity continued into overtime, with both teams battling hard for the winning goal. Hernández had a breakaway chance but missed the shot. Hanzel missed the rebound attempt, and the Railers’ Callin had a chance but was stopped by DeRidder, who made a stunning save on the rush. Topatigh turned the puck over, but luckily DeRidder made the save, keeping Atlanta in it. Each side had their chances, but the goalies stood tall, making crucial saves to keep their teams in the game.

With just 0.01 seconds remaining, it was Callin who scored the game-winning goal for Worcester with a wrist shot over the blocker of DeRidder in a buzzer-beater.

Summary

Atlanta took an early lead with two goals from Jackson Pierson, but Worcester fought back with goals from Brian Mahshie and Anthony Repaci, tying the game in the third period. Anthony Callin scored the game-winner in overtime, capping off a standout performance with two assists. Worcester outshot Atlanta 36-27, and Michael Bullion made 25 saves to secure the 3-2 victory. Despite the loss, Atlanta managed to secure a much-needed point in their climb to a playoff spot. The next game, which is the last of the three-game series, is tomorrow night at DCU, with a puck drop at 6:05 PM.