DULUTH, GA – The Atlanta Gladiators edged the Brampton Beast 1-0 on Sunday afternoon behind a 35-save shutout from G Chris Nell. The win was the Glads’ 16th of the season.
Less than 48 hours after giving up seven goals, the Gladiators looked to rebound in the defensive zone in a Sunday matinee against one of the league’s toughest teams. Brampton was capping off a five-game tour of the ECHL South Division, falling 4-3 to the Jacksonville Icemen Saturday night.
The game developed as a defensive bout, with both teams throwing around their bodies around and getting stellar play in net. The Gladiators navigated three first-period penalties, including 1:28 of 5-on-3 action to keep the league’s 4th best power play at bay. Brampton finished the day 0-for-6 on the man-advantage.
Chris Nell stood tall when F David Vallorani received a pass out of the penalty box, springing a breakaway chance. The Bowling Green product quelled the best Brampton scoring chance of the game in the waning seconds of the second period.
The scoreless tie was finally broken just :82 seconds into the final frame. F Tommy Marchin and D Joel Messner hooked up on a pass before finding D Cody Corbett streaking down the left wing. Corbett’s blast from the edge of the face-off circle ripped behind Brampton G Alex Dubeau to give Atlanta the lead. Despite the empty-net push from the scrappy visitors, Atlanta recorded their first shutout win of the season.
The Gladiators continue their homestand Wednesday evening when they host the Orlando Solar Bears at 7:05 PM. Fans are encouraged to snag their tickets for “Glads Win, You Win” today! Every fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday home game in Atlanta gets the win.