Get ready for an electrifying weekend as the Norfolk Admirals and the Atlanta Gladiators face off in a thrilling back-to-back matchup! With both teams bringing their A-game, fans can expect high-octane action and intense competition. Norfolk’s impressive record and Atlanta’s fierce determination to climb the standings set the stage for a showdown you won’t want to miss.
Date & Time:
Saturday: December 28, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Sunday: December 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Venue: Gas South Arena
Where to Watch/Listen
TV/Streaming: FloHockey
Listen Live: Atlanta Gladiators Broadcast Network
Listen Live: Norfolk Admirals Broadcast Network
News and Notes
Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk comes into this series with a record of 17-7-3, having scored 97 goals this season. Their power play operates at an impressive 21%, and their penalty kill is just as effective at 83%. Key players for Norfolk include former Gladiator Brady Fleurent, who leads the team with 10 goals and 24 assists for a total of 34 points. His playmaking ability and vision on the ice make him a crucial player for Norfolk. Carson Golder, another standout, has 13 goals and eight assists, contributing significantly to the team’s offense. Stepan Timofeyev, with seven goals and 15 assists, adds depth to Norfolk’s forward lines. In goal, Domenic DiVincentiis has been a rock, boasting nine wins, a 2.16 goals-against average (GAA), and a .913 save percentage (SV%). His consistent performance will be key in this series when he is between the pipes.
Atlanta Gladiators
On the other hand, the Atlanta Gladiators now have a record of 13-12-3 and have scored 70 goals this season. Their power play percentage is 11%, and their penalty kill percentage stands at 80%. Eric Neiley remains a pivotal player for Atlanta, with nine goals and 12 assists, totaling 21 points. Cody Sylvester, with seven goals and 12 assists, and Joey Cipollone, with eight goals and five assists, provide additional offensive firepower. Blake Murray, with seven goals and eight assists, also plays a significant role in their attack. Ethan Haider has been solid between the pipes for Atlanta, recording nine wins, a 2.71 GAA, and a .904 save percentage in 17 games. His performance will be crucial in keeping the Gladiators competitive especially with Drew DeRidder on IR.
Impact of Friday Night’s Game
On Friday, December 27th, 2024, the Norfolk Admirals lost 5-3 to the Savannah Ghost Pirates, marking their first regulation road loss of the season. Despite goals from Denis Smirnov, Brandon Osmundson, and Pavel Padakin, Norfolk couldn’t overcome Savannah’s offense. Dom DiVincentiis made 22 saves on 27 shots.
Atlanta faced the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and won 6-5 in overtime. The Gladiators had a challenging third period, allowing several goals from Greenville, but managed to secure the win, demonstrating their resilience and depth. Eric Neiley scored the game-winning goal in overtime, and Atlanta outshot Greenville 46-34.
Team Comparison
The Norfolk Admirals have played 29 games this season, with a record of 17-7-3 and a win percentage of 58.6%. They have scored 97 goals and conceded 70 goals. Norfolk has 2 overtime wins and 3 overtime losses, with no shootout wins and 1 shootout loss. Their power play has been effective, with 93 power plays and a 21% power play percentage. Defensively, they have 79 penalty kills out of 101 penalty kill opportunities, resulting in an 83% penalty kill percentage.
In contrast, the Atlanta Gladiators have also played 29 games, with a record of 13-12-3 and a win percentage of 44.8%. They have scored 70 goals and conceded 87 goals. Atlanta has 2 overtime wins and 3 overtime losses, with no shootout wins and 1 shootout loss. Their power play has struggled, with 93 power plays and a 10.8% power play percentage. On the penalty kill, they have 79 penalty kills out of 101 penalty kill opportunities, resulting in a 78.2% penalty kill percentage.
Prediction
Given Norfolk’s current form and depth, they might have the upper hand in this series. Their balanced attack and strong goaltending give them a slight edge. However, Atlanta’s home crowd and sheer determination to win and gain some ground in the standings can make for a closely contested matchup. If Atlanta can capitalize on their power play opportunities and keep their penalty kill unit off the ice, along with strong performances from their key players, they have a good chance to split and possibly take the series.
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