Glads Sink Admirals in OT Saturday

After back-to-back losses to the Florida Everblades at home, Atlanta hit the road starting a season long nine day, six game road trip in Norfolk, VA against the Admirals.

The Gladiators came out of the gate strong and eventually broke through with the game's opening goal 16:13 into the first period. Drew Baker, who scored his first goal as a Gladiator the evening prior, took a slap shot from the point that was knocked down by Justin Buzzeo in front of the goal. The second-year pro then threw a no-look, behind the back pass across the crease to Trevor Mingoia who one-timed the puck in past Admirals goalie, Eetu Laurikinen. With the primary helper, Buzzeo extended his point streak to five games where he has collected nine points.

Just 30 seconds later, Mingoia picked up his second goal of the game. Miles Koules won a board battle and sent the puck to Blake Kessel in the right wing corner. The University of New Hampshire product circled the back of the goal and found Mingoia out front who wired a shot in past the Finnish goaltender. With his second straight multi-point night, the rookie forward out of Providence College increased his season point total to 10.

Atlanta increased their lead to three when Buzzeo notched his second straight multi-point night with his fifth goal of the season. Kessel, who also received his second point of the evening on the play, sent the puck into the neutral zone for Brock Higgs. The ECHL leader in assists added another one as he put a seem pass ahead of Buzzeo who skated in on the breakaway and wristed the puck top-self and put the Gladiators up 3-0.

Norfolk got on the scoreboard for the first time of the contest just 26 seconds after the latest Atlanta notch. Adam Phillips put home a rebound after a Nick McNeil shot was stopped by Gladiators goalie, Matt Ginn. The goal was the first of the season for the former Kalamazoo Wing.

The Admirals continued their comeback in the middle period and got to within one goal when John Dunbar made the score 3-2. Admirals captain Josh Brittain, dumped a puck down into the Atlanta zone. Dunbar beat everyone to the loose puck and beat Ginn high to the glove on the partial breakaway. It was the first of the season for Dunbar and came at the 14:38 mark of the second period.

Norfolk tied the game 43 seconds into the third period. Sam Noreau took a shot from the point that found its way through traffic past Ginn. Gaberial Verpaeist and John DiNallo earned credit for the assists on Noreau's first of the year.

After a scorless rest of the third, the game shifted to overtime as both teams looked to earn the extra point. Higgs found Baker streaking into the zone down the wing. Baker slammed a slap shot off the pad of Laurikinen and Buzzeo potted the rebound into the net for the game winner and his third point of the evening.

After they earned the extra point in the overtime win, Atlanta improved to 14 points on the season and a record of 6-6-1-1. Norfolk remains winless at home and drops to 1-7-3-0 on the year and increased thier point total to five as they recieved one point in the standings.