ECHL Game Recap: Jacksonville Icemen vs Atlanta Gladiators | 04/06/2025

The atmosphere was electric at Gas South Arena on Sunday afternoon as the Atlanta Gladiators hosted the Jacksonville Icemen for their final home game of the season. Before puck drop, the organization honored long-time captain Eric Neiley with an emotional pre-game retirement ceremony. A video tribute aired on the jumbotron featuring messages from former and current teammates, coaches, and staff, all congratulating Neiley on an exceptional career and offering heartfelt well wishes. The standing ovation from fans in attendance was a moving send-off for a player who has been the heart and soul of the Gladiators franchise this season.

First Period

The opening period was a tight, physical affair, with both teams feeling each other out. Neither side was able to generate many high-danger chances early on, as defensive positioning and strong stick work limited odd-man rushes. Jacksonville started to tilt the ice in their favor midway through the frame, controlling the puck down low and testing Gladiators goaltender Ethan Haider with shots through traffic. After a couple of missed clearing attempts by Atlanta, Jacksonville broke through.

GOAL (17:24): Dalton Duhart (JAX) from Liam Coughlin and Bennett MacArthur

Duhart found space between defenders and fired a quick release from the slot past Haider to give the Icemen a 1–0 lead. Jacksonville maintained control in the final minutes, outshooting Atlanta 12–8 in the period and holding the Gladiators without a quality scoring opportunity.

Stats
Score: Jacksonville 1, Atlanta 0
Shots on Goal: Jacksonville 12, Atlanta 8
Power Plays: Jacksonville 0/0, Atlanta 0/0
Penalties: None

Second Period

Atlanta came out of the locker room with renewed focus and intensity in the second, using their speed through the neutral zone to generate offensive zone time. The turning point came early in the period when the Gladiators strung together back-to-back dominant shifts. Their forecheck forced turnovers and kept Jacksonville hemmed in their own end.

GOAL (6:29): Joey Cipollone (ATL) from Zach Yoder and Carson Denomie

Cipollone snapped a quick shot off a rebounded shot by Yoder fed by Easton Armstrong that beat Justen Close glove side to tie the game 1–1. Atlanta built off the momentum, outskating Jacksonville and creating sustained pressure that eventually paid off again.

GOAL (15:00): Anthony Firriolo (ATL) from Jordan Frasca

Firriolo stepped into a loose puck and rifled a low shot through traffic, finding twine and giving Atlanta its first lead of the afternoon. The Gladiators weren’t done yet.

Drevitch charged the net and finished a sharp-angle rebound off Carabia’s initial shot, pushing Atlanta’s lead to 3–1. It was an overwhelming stretch that saw the Gladiators strike three times in just over 10 minutes, swinging the momentum fully in their favor.

GOAL (16:22): Tyler Drevitch (ATL) from Dylan Carabia

Stats
Score: Atlanta 3, Jacksonville 1
Shots on Goal: Tied 11–11
Power Plays: Jacksonville 0/1, Atlanta 0/0
Penalties: Atlanta – Alex Young (Delay of Game, 2:00 at 18:43)

Third Period

Trailing by two, the Icemen opened the third period with desperation in their game. They began to push the pace, generating more controlled entries and spending more time in the offensive zone. Atlanta’s defense held firm through much of the period, blocking shots and forcing low-percentage plays from the perimeter. Still, the Icemen made it interesting late.

At 18:22 in the final frame Olivier Nadeau took a quick feed in the slot and buried it past Haider to cut the deficit to 3–2. Jacksonville pulled Close for the extra attacker, swarming Atlanta’s zone in the final minute, but Haider stood tall with a key glove save on Christopher Brown and a final clear from Brenden Datema sealed the win.

Stats
Score: Jacksonville 1, Atlanta 0
Shots on Goal: Jacksonville 8, Atlanta 7
Power Plays: Jacksonville 0/1, Atlanta 0/0
Penalties: Atlanta – Brenden Datema (Cross-Checking, 2:00 at 20:00)

Game Highlights and Final Stats

• Final Score: Atlanta 3, Jacksonville 2
• Shots on Goal: Jacksonville 31, Atlanta 26
• Power Plays: Jacksonville 0/2
• Total Penalties: Atlanta 4 PIM (2 infractions), Jacksonville 0 PIM

Goaltending

Three Stars of the Game

1. Eric Neiley (ATL) – Honored in his retirement game
2. Joey Cipollone (ATL) – Key game-tying goal
3. Ethan Haider (ATL) – 29 saves in the win

Eric Neiley may have stepped off the ice for the last time as a player, but his impact was felt throughout the night—and in true captain fashion, led his Gladiators who came away with the win. At the conclusion of the game, in a true display of sportsmanship, every player from the Jacksonville Icemen lined up to personally congratulate Eric Neiley on his retirement. It was a classy gesture and a moment of mutual respect that capped off an emotional and unforgettable evening in Duluth.