Atlanta Earns Point in 4-3 OT Loss to Tulsa

The Gladiators looked to end the four game road trip on a high note by getting five of a possible eight points. They needed a win on Sunday in a rematch the previous night's duel with the Tulsa Oilers.

Eric Neiley got the visiting Gladiators on the board first 12:06 in the opening period. After he received a pass from Ben Marshall at the point, Georgia native Drew Baker took a slap shot that beat Oilers goalie, Jamie Phillips and hit the post. Neiley, standing right outside the crease found the puck in the scramble that ensued and tapped the puck across the goal-line for his third goal in his last four games.

Tulsa tied the game at one early in the second period. Emerson Clark scored his second goal in as many nights against the Gladiators off a wrist shot from the wing on a shorthanded two-on-one rush. The third goal of the season for Clark came 3:51 into the middle period.

On the same power play, Atlanta got their lead right back just 49 seconds later. Thomas Frazee threw a puck from the corner that hit off a Oiler skate and beat Phillips. The goal was Frazee's third of the season and was assisted by Neileyand Blake Kessel.

The Gladiators gained a two goal lead at the 16:27 mark of the second. A cycle play between Neiley and Brock Higgs freed up space for second year pro Justin Buzzeo. The Ferris State product skated out front and scored his first goal of the season. The helper gave Neiley his third point and the Gladiators a 3-1 lead.

Tulsa scored their second goal of the game in the third 13:46 into the period. Dan DeSalvo got his second goal of the season on a rebound of a Clark shot. Phil Brewer received credit for the other assist on the Oilers tally that made the score 3-2.

The Oilers pulled the goalie with under two minutes to go to try and tie the game. Clark notched his second of the game with the extra attacker on the ice and tied the game with 1:08 remaining in the game. The third point of the game for Clark was assisted by Wes Cunningham and Eric Drapluk and sent the game to overtime.

While on the power play after Atlanta was given a penalty for too many men on the ice, Tulsa won the game when Adam Pleskach scored on a net mouth scramble. The overtime goal gave Tulsa the extra point in the contest and helped them remain undefeated on the season. In the 4-3 OT loss, Atlanta increased their point total to 6 on the year with a record of 2-2-1-1.

Photo: Kevin Pyle