ORLANDO, Fl. - The Atlanta Gladiators (23-14-3-1) scored three goals in 4:40 of the third period to defeat the Orlando Solar Bears (19-19-4-1) by a score of 5-1 on Sunday Afternoon at the Amway Centre in Orlando, Florida.
First Star: Reece Vitelli (ATL) - 4 assists
Second Star: Tim Davison (ATL) - 3 assists
Third Star: David Tendeck (ATL) - 33 saves
A strong first period of play resulted in a 0-0 score after twenty minutes of play. Atlanta edged Orlando in the shot department with 12 shots over Orlando’s 10.
The Gladiators struck late in the second period to take a 1-0 lead (1:06). Noah Laaouan fired a shot off the crossbar and watched it bounce in for his fourth marker of the season.
Orlando tied the game in the final seconds of the period making it 1-1 (0:00.8).
Atlanta came out for the third period firing on all cylinders to regain their lead early (19:37). Eric Neiley scored a spin-o-rama goal for his 20th goal of the season to make it 2-1.
The Gladiators struck just 32-seconds later to pull ahead 3-1. Tyson Empey finished off a 2-on-1 rush with Reece Vitelli to give Atlanta a two-goal lead.
Atlanta extended their lead to 4-1 just over four minutes later (14:57). Kaid Oliver sent a pass from Vitelli into the Solar Bears goal for his tenth of the season.
With just over three minutes of play remaining in the contest Atlanta sealed the victory with an empty net goal (3:15). Michal Mrazik sent a pass from Tim Davison into the vacant Orlando goal to make it 5-1. The goal was Mzarik’s first of the season for Atlanta.
David Tendeck made 33 saves on 34 shots in the victory for Atlanta, Jack Lafontaine turned aside 42 shots in the loss for Orlando.
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