Greenville, SC – The Atlanta Gladiators defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville. Louis Boudon scored the overtime winner to help the Gladiators improve to 18-6.

The Gladiators and Swamp Rabbits met for the first game of a home-and-home before the holiday break. It was also the second game of a 3-in-3 for Atlanta. Ethan Haider started in net for the Gladiators, while Pierce Charleson started for the Swamp Rabbits.

The first period was scoreless, but both sides were able to generate some good scoring chances. There was only one penalty in the first period, a hooking minor on the Gladiators, which Atlanta was able to kill off. Atlanta outshot Greenville 11-8 after the first period.

Both Atlanta and Greenville scored their only goals in regulation in the  second period. 1:11 into the middle frame, Chad Nychuk came flying down the left wing and centered for Isak Walther in front of the net, who was able to punch it in for the score. Walther’s team leading 13^th goal of the season gave the Gladiators a 1-0 lead. Atlanta held that lead for much of the period until fresh off of a penalty kill, Greenville’s Hudson Schandor scored alone from the inside part if the left circle to make it a 1-1 game with 2:23 left in the second. Schandor’s goal came from Carter Savoie and Dante Sheriff. Ethan Haider robbed Ryan O’Reilly with a massive save to end the period. Atlanta outshot Greenville 21-16 through two periods.

The third period was scoreless but not uneventful. Play got feisty as tempers began to flare. The physical play led to some big hits and chances up ice for both squads, with both Haider and Charleston keeping the game a 1-1 tie. Greenville had a chance to take the lead on the power play in the final ten minutes of regulation, but the Atlanta penalty kill came up big again. After regulation, the shot count was tied 29-29.

Overtime contained back and forth action, as the Gladiators prevailed with Louis Boudon scoring the game winning goal 3:27 into overtime. Walther and Nychuk won a battle at the end wall to set up Boudon for a one-timer from the slot that hit the back of the net for the score. Haider stopped 29/30 for his ninth win of the season to help Atlanta improve to 18-6. The Gladiators went 0/1 on the power play and 2/2 on the penalty kill, outshooting Greenville 31-30.

The scene shifts to Gas South Arena on Sunday for the final game before the holiday break and a rematch between Atlanta and Greenville. Puck drop is set for 3:10 PM EST, with coverage on the Gladiators Broadcast Network beginning at 2:50 PM EST on FloHockey and YouTube. Fans can get tickets HERE and join the battle!