The Villains Prevail on Super Hero Night in Norfolk as Atlanta Defeats the Admirals 5-3

NORFOLK, VA  -  Just 24 hours after being defeated by the Admirals, the Gladiators dueled with their South Division foe once again at the Norfolk Scope Arena in search of revenge. After falling behind by two goals early, Atlanta surged back to get the 5-3 victory over the Admirals on Saturday night.   

Just like the previous night, Norfolk scored the game’s opening tally to take an early 1-0 lead. Dominic Alberga stripped the Atlanta defender of the puck and dropped a pass to Luke Nogard between the circles. The rookie forward walked down the middle of the slot and ripped a snap shot off the cross bar and into the goal for his third tally in as many games.

The Admirals increased their lead at the 6:47 mark of the first period. Ben Duffy led a 2-on-1 rush into the Atlanta zone. The Nova Scotia native sent a pass across the crease to Taylor Cammarata who placed the puck in the open goal for his first tally of the season past Glads’ goalie, Miroslav Svoboda.

The Gladiators got one back 16:18 into the first frame. Jack Stander sent a shot on the net that was stopped by Admirals goalie, Brad Barone. The puck caromed right to Brett McKenzie who scored on the rebound past a sprawling Barone. McKenzie’s third goal of the season was also assisted by Shane Eiserman.

Atlanta started the middle session on the power play and converted on the man advantage just :19 seconds into the period. Ben Danford took a shot from the point that was blocked by the Admirals but landed right in front Alex Overhardt at the center hash marks.  The rookie quickly fired a shot that found its way between the legs of Barone tying the game at two.

Atlanta went on their third power play of the game minutes later, and completed another 5-on-4 goal to take the 3-2 lead. McKenzie and Jesse Gabrielle worked the puck on the right wing side of their offensive zone before finding Olivier Galipeau open at the blue-line. The Montreal, PQ native unleashed a slap shot that blazed past the right shoulder of Barone for Galipeau’s third mark of the season.

With only :14 seconds left in the second period, Atlanta advanced their lead to two goals. Stander threw the puck behind the net where Eiserman won the race to the loose disc. The Newport, MA native circled around the back of the goal and found Nolan LaPorte open in front of the goal. The third-year pro knocked a one-timer through the five-hole of Barone for his first goal as a Gladiator to complete a three-goal second period for Atlanta.

An offensive push to start the third finally broke through for the home side 8:57 into the final period. Cammarata redirected a shot from the point by Chase Harrison for his second goal of the night and third of the season. Alberga earned his second point on the evening with the secondary helper on the play.

The visitors added some insurance with a 4-on-4 goal with just over nine minutes remaining in the third stanza. Galipeau came away with the puck on the fore-check and sent a pass to McKenzie covering for him at the point. The rookie forward slammed a shot towards the net that was tipped in front past Barone off the stick of Derek Nesbitt for his first goal of the season.   

Norfolk sent 16 shots on goal in the third, but Svoboda stood tall finishing with 34 saves in the 5-3 victory for the Gladiators. With the road win, Atlanta improved to 10 points on the season with a 4-4-2-0 record. Norfolk dropped only their second home game of the season to fall to 8-4-0-0 and stay at 16 points.

ROAD AHEAD

Up next, the Gladiators travel to North Charleston, SC for a Tuesday night date with the South Carolina Stingrays on November 13th at 7:05 pm before returning home for Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend on November 16th, 17th and 18th.