DULUTH, GA - The Atlanta Gladiators (20-40-3-1) were narrowly defeated by the Orlando Solar Bears (34-22-6-2) by a final score of 2-1 on Saturday night, at Gas South Arena, in Duluth, Georgia.
First Star: Evan Fitzpatrick (ORL) - 38 saves on 39 shots, victory
Second Star: Aaron Luchuk (ORL) - 1 game-winning goal
Third Star: Josh Boyko (ATL) - 28 saves on 30 shots
In what was a defensive first period, the Gladiators and Solar Bears found themselves knotted up, with the shots on goal 9-8 in favor of Atlanta.
Atlanta would strike just one minute and thirty-two seconds in the middle frame, with Jackson Pierson slapping in a slick feed from Micah Miller. (1:32)
The chess match would continue throughout the remainder of the second stanza, as both teams went to the locker room with the score 1-0.
Come the third period, Orlando would break through, when Ben Carroll (5th) was able to squeeze a wrist shot past Josh Boyko. The goal would be reviewed for potential goaltender interference, but after a second-look, the officials determined that the goal would count. (10:14)
Less than two minutes later, the Solar Bears would find the net once more, with Aaron Luchuk (18th) bursting into the zone, and beating Boyko. (12:12)
Josh Boyko ended the night with 28 saves on 30 shots for the Gladiators, while Evan Fitzpatrick turned aside 38 of 39 in the victory for Orlando.
Check out the highlights of the game below.
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