Glads Trump Admirals in OT

Playing Norfolk for the second time in as many nights, and their second of three straight games, the Gladiators looked to capitalize on their recent run and domination of Norfolk on Tuesday to capture the two points and a win Wednesday. Garry Nunn contributed a 3-point night, and Captain Derek Nesbitt gave the Glads yet another GWG to net Atlanta a 4-3 victory. Norfolk opened up the night's scoring just twenty-seven seconds into the game when Nick Pageau sent a wrist shot past the blocker of Atlanta Goaltender Matt Ginn for his third goal of the season. Alexandre Ranger was credited with his seventh helper of the year, while Tommy Mele notched his eighth of the year with the secondary assist.The Admirals would add to their fast start by doubling their lead just 1:19 later as Steven Whitney scored his seventh goal of the year. The puck found its way through heavy traffic in front of the net and trickled past Ginn as he was knocked down by a falling Ian Barteaux. Brock Higgs cut the Atlanta deficit to one five minutes later with a power play goal at the 12:57 mark of the first frame. The product of RPI scored his tenth goal of the year on a tic-tac-toe passing play deep in the Norfolk zone. Thomas Frazee and Gary Nunn were both credited with an assist as they moved the puck around the offensive zone until Frazee found a wide open Higgs on the right side of the net. The Gladiators tied the game with a goal by Patrick D'Amino with 2:23 left in the first period. Tyler Murovich started the play on a give-and-go with the Winnipeg native in the neutral zone, making their way toward goal. After a backhanded shot by Murovich that rebounded off the pad right pad of Norfolk Goaltender Nic Riopel, D'Amico fired the puck into the upper left corner from the left point to even the game at two. The goal was the center's seventh goal in 13 games for the Gladiators and his ninth point of the season. The Admirals tallied another quick goal to start the second frame, scoring inside the first minute. Alexis Louiseau skated down the left-wing and passed the puck to a streaking Alexandre Ranger who poked it past Ginn to take the 3-2 advantage. Garry Nunn tied the game for the Gladiators on a long pass from the right side by Thomas Frazee. The forward hit a one-timer from the left point that zipped past the shifting Riopel to make the score 3-3, giving Atlanta their second consecutive power play goal. Regulation was not enough to decide the game as the Gladiators and Admirals went into overtime for the eighth time this season. After skating around the goal twice, Nunn passed to Derek Nesbitt in the slot who then clapped it into the net to claim the victory. The captain tallied his 15th score of the season on the game winner, while Nunn notched his third point of the night.The Atlanta Gladiators improve to 19-10-2 for a total of 40 points before the New Year, while the Norfolk Admirals fall to 10-21-1-1 for 22 points on the season.