Thunder Rain on Glads Parade

Despite going 7 for 7 on the Penalty Kill, and out-shooting their opponent, the Gladiators fell to the Thunder Friday by a final score of 4-1. Coming off two consecutive lopsided losses, the Atlanta Gladiators struck first early in the first period, on their first shot against the Adirondack Thunder. Max Everson capitalized on the first powerplay opportunity for the Gladiators 2:45 into the first frame with a slap shot from distance that best Thunder goaltender, Ken Appleby. It marked the third goal of the season for the rookie while Derek Nesbitt and Eric Neiley each picked up assists on the play. It didnt take long for the Thunder to equalize. Just over three minutes after Atlantas goal, the puck took an unfortunate bounce off the boards and was mishandled by Gladiators goaltender Matt Ginn behind the net. Adirondacks Mitchell Heard found it at the top of the crease for an easy shot into an open net. The score was the Ontario natives fourth goal and eighth point of the season. Adirondack was able to take the lead just 20 seconds later after a turnover in the defensive zone for Atlanta. The Thunders Kyle Flanagan was able to intercept a pass and found his teammate, Greg Wolfe, who maneuvered across the face of Ginn’s net and beat him on his glove side for his second goal of the season. Flanagan notched his eighth assist of the year on the play. The second period saw its only goal come off the stick of Adirondack forward, Flanagan. Michael Kirkpatrick led a 2-on-1 break on the left side and passed to the trailing Flanagan who blasted a wrist shot over the glove of Ginn. The score marks Flanagans first goal for the rookie out of Canton, New York. Flanagan would add an empty-net goal to seal the game with 52 seconds left in the third period. The score was the second of the game and his third point of the night. Mike Bergin and David Shield were credited with the assists. Atlanta now has lost three straight games dropping their record to 6-5-1 for 13 points on the year. Adirondack continued their great start improving to 9-1 on the year for 18 points with the victory.