Glads Drop Second Straight in Norfolk 4-1

Atlanta faced-off with the Admirals once again looking for a weekend split. Unable to get any offensive going, the Gladiators dropped the contest 4-1 to Norfolk on Saturday night.

After a scoreless first period, Norfolk got on the board 6:21 into the middle session. Tommy Schutt was awarded a penalty shot against Atlanta goalie, Sean Bonar. The rookie forward moved in one-on-one and put a wrist shot past Bonar for his sixth of the season.

Just over a minute later, Norfolk advanced their lead to two goals. Grant Besse received a stretch-pass from Christian Horn and skated in all-alone on a breakaway. The former Wisconsin Badger slide the puck five-hole on Bonar earning his 26th goal of the season.

Only :22 seconds later, Stephen Pierog cut the lead back to one. Atlanta Captain, Derek Nesbitt, sent a pass from behind the net to the Guelph, ON native in the slot. Pierog then sniped a shot over the shoulder of the Admiral netminder, Ty Reichenbach for his fifth tally of the season.

The Gladiators outshot the Admirals 13-9 in the third period but were unable to tie the game and Norfolk added two empty net goals to take the contest 4-1. With the road loss, Atlanta remained at 57 points and in fourth place in the South Division. Norfolk earned their 23 win and moved to 52 points on the season with the Victory.

Up next, the Gladiators return home for a South Division battle with the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday, March 7th at the Infinite Energy Arena.