Orlando, FL – The Atlanta Gladiators defeated the Orlando Solar Bears 5-3 on Thursday night at Kia Center to improve to 3-0 on the season. Atlanta forwards Alex Young and Ryan Francis both had two goals in the win for the Gladiators.

Atlanta hit the road for it’s first game away from home and its first divisional matchup of the year, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears. Gladiators netminder Ethan Haider made his second start of the season, coming off of a 3-2 overtime victory over Utah on opening night in which he stopped 20/22. Orlando netminder Ethan Langenegger made his first start of the season for Orlando and his second professional start.

It did not take long for the Gladiators to find the back of the net, as 5:01 into the first, Ryan Francis go the scoring started from Kalan Lind and Chad Nychuk. Lind hit Francis with a pass to the slot from below the goal line to set up the goal. Late in the period on the power play, Atlanta extended its lead to two with Alex Young’s second goal of the season from Kalan Lind and Louis Boudon to make it 2-0 with 2:26 remaining in the period. The Gladiators were outshot 9-6 though one period but led through 20 minutes of play.

Alex Young added another for the Gladiators 5:26 into the second period, once again on the power play, with Orlando getting caught with too many men on the ice. Young scored his third of the season and second of the night from Ryan Conroy and Kalan Lind to put Atlanta up 3-0. With 6:39 left in the middle frame, Anthony Firriolo and Tyler Drevitch fought each other at center ice. Orlando cut into the Atlanta lead to make it 3-1 with 48 seconds left in the period with a breakaway goal from Milo Rolens, assisted by Spencer Kersten.

The Gladiators continued to surge offensively in the third period with another goal from Ryan Francis. Francis took two shots from the left wing on Langenegger, putting in the rebound to make it a 4-1 Atlanta lead. The goal came with 8:06 left on the clock and on Atlanta’s first shot of the period. The Gladiators added another to make it 5-1 as Mickey Burns tipped in a Ryan Nolan shot with 6:55 to go. With two power play chances late in the game, Orlando attempted to come back with two goals from Reece Newkirk on the man advantage but fell short. Atlanta emerged victorious 5-3, as Ethan Haider stopped 31/34 for his second win of the season.

The Gladiators went 2/3 on the power play and 2/4 on the penalty kill. Alex Young was named the first star of the game with 2 goals. Ryan Francis finished with two goals as well. Kalan Lind was named the third star with four assists on the night, earning his first professional point.

The road trip continues on Friday with the Gladiators taking on the Florida Everblades at Hertz Arena at 7:30 PM EDT. Fans can watch the game live on FloSports or listen to the audio broadcast on the Gladiators YouTube channel.