Glads Fall to Blades 4-3 in OT

Despite mounting an impressive three goal comeback, two of which came courtesy of Brock Higgs in the 3rd period, the Gladiators fell to the Florida Everblades in their season opener Friday night. Former Gladiator Evan Bloodoff gave the Blades the W with his OT winner, played during the ECHLs new 3-on-3 overtime format. GLADS NOTES

After trailing 3-0 in the first period, Atlanta scored three unanswered goals to force overtime with two of the three markers coming in the third period. The comeback that lead to the OT loss gave the Gladiators their first point of the season in the standings. Tyler Murovich scored the first goal of the season for the Gladiators on a notch that came at the 18:43 mark of the first period. Drew Baker and Justin Buzzeo got credit for the assists on Murovichs 29th goal as a Gladiator.Brock Higgs had the other two goals for Atlanta, both on the powerplay in the third period. The multi-goal game was Higgs first as a professional. Both tallies were products of rebounds off of Thomas Frazee shots. Garry Nunn and Derek Nesbitt had the secondary assists on the two Higgs goals. The Gladiators continued their success with the man-advantage from the preseason, where they lead the league, with two powerplay goals on six opportunities on the evening. Kent Patterson got the start in net for Atlanta and finished the night with 27 saves on 31 shots in the OT loss. The Gladiators lost in their first ever regular season 3-on-3 overtime period on the Evan Bloodoff OT winner for Florida. The Everblades improved their season opener winning streak to nine in a row and eight straight wins in home openers. Atlanta has now lost six straight season openers. Photo Courtesy of the Florida Everblades