DULUTH, Ga. - The Atlanta Gladiators (1-0-0-0) defeated the Florida Everblades (0-1-0-0) in a 4-2 final on Opening Night at Gas South Arena. Atlanta scored two power-play goals while holding Florida scoreless on six power-play opportunities.
First Star: Gabe Guertler (ATL) - goal, assist
Second Star: Derek Topatigh (ATL) - two assists
Third Star: Mike Pelech (ATL) - two assists
Kaid Oliver kicked off the scoring for the new season when he buried a one-timer set up by Cody Sylvester in the middle of the first period (11:26). Oliver lit the lamp 15 times last season as a rookie with the Iowa Heartlanders.
Just a minute-and-a-half later, rookie Reece Vitelli buried his first professional goal on the power play to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead (12:54).
The Gladiators took a 3-0 advantage a few shifts after Vitelli's tally when Brandon Schultz deftly tipped a Derek Topatigh pass under Florida goaltender Cam Johnson's pads.
Gabe Guertler tipped in a goal of his own in the second period to put Atlanta ahead 4-0 (5:27). Tim Davison provided the shot from the blue line, and Guertler angled the puck past Johnson's shoulder.
Robert Carpenter put Florida on the board late in the second period (17:13), and Michael Neville scored a shorthanded goal late in the third, but Tyler Parks stood tall in net for Atlanta with 30 saves on 32 shots.
–
For the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoff schedule, single game tickets, playoff packages, and group tickets, visit HERE, or call the Gladiators front office at 770-497-5100.
The Atlanta Gladiators are a proud member of the ECHL and play home games at Gas South Arena located in Duluth, Georgia. Follow along with the Gladiators onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn,TikTok,Twitter, andYouTube.
Crunch Fitness is the Official Fitness Partner for the Atlanta Gladiators. Crunch is a diverse community; what we have is a culture of fun; what there is, is room for everyone: all kinds of people with all kinds of goals who’ve chosen to come reach them with us. Crunch. No Judgments. For more about Crunch Fitness, visitHERE.
The Atlanta Gladiators are a proud affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners.
###
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
New Mexico Goatheads
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Ironhawks
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers