HOLIDAY WEEKEND RECAP: GLADS GAIN ONE POINT, FALL IN ALL THREE GAMES

Written By: Kabal Caldwell

Atlanta Gladiators (3) vs. Orlando Solar Bears (2) (1-17-2025)

The Atlanta Gladiators (17-18-3-1) lost to the Orlando Solar Bears (20-16-5-0) by a final score of 3-2 on Friday night, at Gas South Arena, in Duluth, Georgia. 

Ethan Haider started in goal for the second straight game for the Gladiators, while on the other end of the ice, for Orlando, it was Ryan Fanti. 

Ryan Cranford (7th) scored the game's first goal on the power-play, as at 13:57 in the first period, as he capitalized on a terrific net-front play from Easton Armstrong. The Solar Bears scored the game's next goal, as at 17:51 of the first, forward Jarrett Lee (6th) deposited a wrist shot upstairs, bringing the score to 1-1.

After a back-and-forth middle frame, the score remained square entering the final period of regulation time.  Early in the third period, at 6:44, Solar Bear forward Jaydon Dureau (8th) blasted a wicked slap shot from the wing to give the Solar Bears the 2-1 advantage, their first of the game. Just under a minute later, Andrew Coxhead (4) notched the third Solar Bear goal, by sneaking a slapper from the bumper by Ethan Haider. 

With under a minute remaining in regulation time, with the extra attacker on the ice, Blake Murray (10th) found the back of the net, assisted by Eric Neiley and Cody Sylvester, keeping the game alive for the Gladiators. Following a late penalty to Joey Cipollone, Orlando was able to hold on and win the contest by a final score of 3-2. 

Ryan Fanti in the victory for Orlando, made 32 saves on 33 shots, while Ethan Haider denied 23 of 26 in the loss for the Gladiators. 

Check out the highlights below. 

Atlanta Gladiators (2) vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3) (SO) (1-18-2025)

The Atlanta Gladiators (17-18-3-2) lost to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (15-16-3-1) by a final score of 3-2 in the shootout on Saturday night, at Gas South Arena, in Duluth, Georgia.

Drew DeRidder got the start in goal for the Gladiators, while on the other end of the ice, for Greenville, it was Jacob Ingham.

At 17:38 of the first period, Gladiator forward Ryan Cranford (8th) scored the game's first goal after a sweet dish from Jeremy Hanzel to set an easy finish. The second-year pro Cranford has now scored the opening goal in back-to-back games.

In the second period, the Swamp Rabbits capitalized on the first penalty of the game, as Miles Gendron (2nd) rifled a wrist shot from the point.

The physicality between both teams were at an all-time high in the second, leading to Dominiks Marcinkevics and Jake Flynn dropping the gloves.

Shortly after the scrum, at 13:44, the Swamp Rabbits scored a quick goal, as Tyson Fawcett (6th) finished off a terrific behind-the-net feed from Miles Gendron.

With 12:02 gone by in the third period, and with his team down a goal, Gladiator forward Cody Slyvester (15th) blasted a powerful slap shot from the left circle to tie the game for the Gladiators.

A scoreless overtime period led to a shootout. The Gladiators did not score in the shootout, while the Swamp Rabbits found the back of the net once.

Jacob Ingham, in the victory for Greenville, made 36 saves on 38 shots, while Drew DeRidder denied 30 of 32 in the shootout loss for the Gladiators.

Check out the highlights below.

Atlanta Gladiators (5) vs. @ Orlando Solar Bears (8 (1-20-2025)

The Atlanta Gladiators (17-19-3-2) lost to the Orlando Solar Bears (21-17-5-0) by a final score of 8-5 on Monday afternoon, at the Kia Center, in Orlando, Florida.

Ethan Haider started in between the pipes for the Glads, while Ryan Fanti stood on the other end of the ice for the Solar Bears.

In the first period, the Solar Bears got off to a hot start, as Jack Adams (8th, and 9th) scored at 12:10 and 17:05. A few moments following Adams' second goal, Spencer Kersten (16th) extended Orlando's lead to three, sniping a puck to the far-side post, past Ethan Haider.

At 11:20 of the second period, Orlando defenseman Ben Carroll (1st) notched his first goal of the season with a laser beam to the upper-left corner of the cage. Following Carroll's tally, the Solar Bears held a 4-0 lead. 

Shortly thereafter, the Gladiators got themselves on the board, as Derek Topatigh (6th) scored after a juicy rebound from the opposing goaltender, Ryan Fanti. Then, Carson Denomie (7th) scored for the Glads, tickling the twine after a snap shot from the half boards. 

The Gladiators cut into the Solar Bears' lead once more at 17:10 of the second, as Blake Murray (11th) one-timed a terrific dish from defenseman Derek Topatigh. 

With that said, following a time-out, Orlando figured their game out. On the ensuing face-off, Jack Adams (10th) secured the hat-trick with a tap in goal assisted by Aaron Luchuk, giving Orlando a two goal lead once more. 

Before the second period was complete, the Solar Bears scored again, as Brayden Low buried his second goal of the game, ninth of the season, and his club's first power-play goal of the afternoon.

Atlanta's captain Eric Neiley kept his club in the game with the 150th goal in his professional career, while the team was on the power-play. The tally was Neiley's 11th of the season, and it was assisted by Cody Sylvester and Anthony Firriolo.

At 19:09, with the net empty, Brayden Low (10th) secured the second hat-trick of the afternoon for his team, assisted by Aaron Luchuk and Ben Carroll.

Ethan Haider made 19 saves on 26 shots in the loss for the Glads, while Ryan Fanti denied 32 of 37 in the victory for Orlando.

Check out the highlights below.