Gladiators Tie the Game Late, Win Second Straight Overtime Contest

For the second straight game Atlanta scored late with the extra attacker and went on to win in overtime as they completed the comeback in North Charleston, SC against the Stingrays on Friday night. The Gladiators got a tying goal from Phil Lane and overtime game-winner from Thomas Frazee to earn a come-from-behind victory in South Carolina.

For the fourth time in their last five games, Atlanta scored the first goal of the game with a tally 3:16 into the contest. Tanner Pond muscled his way to the front of the net and put a shot on former Gladiator, Jeff Jakaitis that was denied by the 12th-year-pro. Luke Sandler found the puck laying in the crease and scooped the rebound into the net giving Atlanta the 1-0 lead with his second goal of the season.

South Carolina responded to tie the score at the 10:13 mark of the first. Nick Johnson found a rebound in front and slid it past Atlanta goalie, Dan Vladar. Johnson’s fifth of the season was assisted by Patrick Gaul and Joe Devin.

After a scoreless middle frame, the Stingrays converged on a power play 5:56 into the third period. Tim McGauley sent a pass from the slot to the left circle to an open Devin. The Stingrays’ captain blasted a one-timer past Vladar for his fourth goal of the season.

For the second straight contest the Gladiators were forced to pull the goalie for an extra attacker to try and tie the game late. Ben Marshall took a pass from Thomas Frazee at the point and propelled a shot towards the goal. Phil Lane deflected the puck in the low slot that hit off of Jakaitis and rolled down his back and crossed the goal-line with just :28 seconds to go. With points on the game-tying tally, Frazee and Lane extended their points streaks to nine and eight games, respectively.

Chase Witala drew a penalty in overtime that gave the Gladiators a 4-on-3 man advantage. Marshall slid a pass over to Frazee who wired a one-time shot from the left circle into the goal winning the game for Atlanta. Derek Nesbitt earned the secondary assist on the game-winning marker that came 2:04 into overtime.

With their sixth win in their last seven games and fifth straight road victory, Atlanta improved their record to 6-4-0-1 with 13 points. South Carolina earned a single point in the OT loss and jumped to 15 points in the standings with a record of 7-1-1-0.

The same two teams will face-off tomorrow night at the North Charleston Coliseum for another South Division battle. Puck drop is set for 7:05pm.