ORLANDO, Fl. The Atlanta Gladiators (17-34-2-1) went toe-to-toe with the Orlando Solar Bears (25-18-6-2) as both teams remained scoreless after forty minutes, however a third period goal for Aaron Luchuk was the difference as Atlanta fell 1-0 and were shutout for the second night in a row on Saturday night at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
First Star: Evan Fitzpatrick (ORL) - 34 saves, shutout victory
Second Star: Aaron Luchuk (ORL) - 1 goal
Third Star: Tyler Bird (ORL) - 1 assist
Both goaltenders stood tall through the first two periods as neither keeper wanted to give up an edge.
Atlanta outshot the Solar Bears 14-7 at the end of the first period.
Spencer Kennedy fought Orlando's Daniel Walker in the middle frame, followed by Jay Powell squaring off with Kelly Bent of the Solar Bears.
Orlando stormed back to outshoot the Gladiators 19-3 in the middle frame, and 26-17 overall heading into the third period.
The Solar Bears broke the scoreless tie in the third period as Aaron Luchuk would net his 10th of the year, midway through the period, to make it 1-0 for Orlando (8:04).
Atlanta pulled Brad Barone in the final minute of the game in favor of the extra attacker, however the clock ran out on Atlanta’s comeback bid.
Evan Fitzpatrick made 34 saves in the shutout victory for Orlando, meanwhile Brad Barone made 38 saves in the loss for Atlanta.
Check out the highlights below.
Adirondack Thunder
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Bloomington Bison
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Orlando Solar Bears
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