Estero, FL – The Atlanta Gladiators defeated the Florida Everblades 2-0 on Friday night as T.J. Semptimphelter stopped all 25 shots he saw for his first professional shutout. With the win, Atlanta improved to 4-0 on the season and remains undefeated.

Fresh off of a 5-3 victory in Orlando on Thursday night, the Gladiators made their final stop on the road trip at Hertz Arena to take on the Florida Everblades. It was the first matchup of the season between the two teams, as Atlanta looked to snap a 15 game losing streak to Florida. T.J. Semptimphelter made his second start of the season, while Cam Johnson got the nod between the pipes for Florida. 

The first period opened with the Everblades putting on the pressure. Florida got chances early and spent most of the opening period in the Gladiators end of the ice, but Semptimphelter proved to be up to the take, making save after save to keep Atlanta in the gmae. A late power play for Atlanta turned the tide and proved to be critical in the outcome of the game, as the Gladiators scored on the man advantage to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room. Johnson turned the puck over in an attempt to play it behind the net, and the Gladiators were able to quickly cycle the puck up to the high slot to Chad Nychuk who fired it into the net for the score before Johnson could scramble back in time. Nychuk’s first goal of the year was assisted by Isak Walther and came with 1:55 left in the first. Atlanta was outshot 11-6 through twenty minutes but took a 1-0 lead heading into the middle frame.

The Gladiators were able to generate more scoring chances in the second period, but ultimately no goals were scored in the middle frame. Atlanta did have a couple of opportunities on the man advantage but were unable to capitalize. After going 2/2 in the first period, the Gladiators penalty kill continued to hold firm and held the Everblades off  the board. Semptimphelter continued to put on a show, stopping everything the Everblades threw at him. Atlanta outshot Florida 7-6 in the second period and still led 1-0 heading into the third.

A thrilling third period saw the Gladiators go to the power play with chances to extend their lead three times, but Atlanta was unsuccessful on each attempt. Stellar work from Semptimphelter kept it a 1-0 game as Florida continued to press, and with the net empty late in the game, Ryan Nolan scored to seal the victory at 2-0 with 17 seconds remaining. Semptimphelter stopped 25/25 for his second victory of the season and his 1^st professional shutout. 

With the win, Atlanta sits alone atop the South Division at 4-0, and heads back home to welcome the Savannah Ghost Pirates on November 1^st. Atlanta was 1/5 on the power play and 4/4 on the penalty kill against Florida in the win, with Nychuk’s power play goal in the first period proving to be the difference as the game winner.

The Gladiators’ next game will be on November 1^st at Gas South Arena, and they will be wearing special Dia de los Muertos jerseys for the occasion. Be the first to see these new jerseys at the reveal at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Lawrenceville at 6 PM on Wednesday for a special first come first serve dinner. Season ticket holders get 10% off at Pepe’s by showing their season ticket holder ID.