West Valley City, UT – After winning two out of three games against the Jacksonville Icemen last weekend, the Gladiators head west to take on the Utah Grizzlies with a three-game series at Maverik Center on December 10^th, 12^th, and 13^th. 

THIS WEEK’S GAMES:

• Atlanta Gladiators at Utah Grizzlies - Wednesday, December 10^th at 9:10 PM EST
• Atlanta Gladiators at Utah Grizzlies - Friday, December 12^th at 9:10 PM EST
• Atlanta Gladiators at Utah Grizzlies - Saturday, December 13^th at 9:10 PM EST

The Gladiators were tested with their first slate of three games in three days last weekend, and proved they were up for the task, defeating the Jacksonville Icemen in two out of three games. Atlanta won Friday’s game in Jacksonville 7-2 on Friday night before falling 4-3 in the Sunshine State on Saturday. The Glads returned home on Sunday, winning the afternoon matchup 3-2 and improving their record to 14-5.  

Atlanta hosted Utah at Gas South Arena on opening weekend, sweeping the Grizzlies with a 3-2 overtime victory on October 18^th and a 4-1 win on October 19^th to take the first two games of the five game season series. The scene now shifts to West Valley City, UT, to Maverik Center – a venue the Gladiators have not played at since the 2015-16 season. 

The last time the Gladiators played in Utah, they defeated the Grizzlies in two out of three matchups, losing 5-4 in overtime on 2/17/16 before winning 3-2 in a shootout on 2/19/16 and 2-0 on 2/20/16. Then Gladiators goaltender and current Head Coach, Matt Ginn, stopped all 29 shots that came his way to earn the shutout victory for Atlanta in the most recent meeting between the two teams at Maverik Center. The Gladiators are 5-1-2 all-time vs the Grizzlies and are 3-0-1 at Maverik Center. Atlanta has won the last three meetings dating back to 1/29/20. 

The Gladiators are 5-3 on the road this season. Wednesday’s game will mark the 9^th all-time meeting between the Gladiators and the Grizzlies, and with the announcement being made over the summer that the Utah Grizzlies franchise will be relocating to Trenton, New Jersey at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Saturday night’s game will be the final time the Atlanta Gladiators and the Utah Grizzlies face-off.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Gladiators have four more home games during the month of December with a variety of fun themes for the whole family to enjoy! Click each game below for tickets!

Gladiators vs Icemen – Friday, December 19^th at 7:10 PM | Marvel Night

• Marvel fans, assemble! Heroic fun takes over with action-packed zones, Fantastic Four themed jerseys, and appearances from your favorite Marvel characters!
• Click HERE to purchase a ticket package with a Kids Superhero Cape!

Gladiators vs Swamp Rabbits – Sunday, December 21^st  at 3:10 PM

Gladiators vs Ghost Pirates – Saturday, December 27^th  at 7:10 PM | Frosty Boots & Country Roots Presented by Wendy’s

• Boots, hats, and hockey! Southern charm hits the ice with country tunes, themed activations, cozy vibes, and winter fun. Don’t miss this festive night!
• Click HERE to purchase a ticket package with a Gladiators themed cowbell!

Gladiators vs Ghost Pirates – Sunday, December 28^th at 3:10 PM 

RECAP OF LAST WEEK:

Friday, December 5^th – Atlanta 7, Jacksonville 2

• The Gladiators notched a new season high for goals in a game, scoring 7 goals for the first time since 4/14/24, 7-4 win at Jacksonville. Atlanta got goals from Boudon (2), Cipollone, Scardina, Walther, Sylvester, and McNamee; while Semptimphelter stopped 31/33 in the victory. Four of the Gladiators seven goals were scored on special teams (2 PPG, 2 SHG).
• For the second time this season, the Gladiators scored two shorthanded goals on the same penalty kill, with Joey Cipollone and Ethan Scardina scoring 79 seconds apart. Scardina’s goal was the first of his professional career. Last time this happened was on 11/1/25 vs Savannah.
• Louis Boudon finished the night with two goals and two assists – the first four point game of his ECHL career. Boudon became the second Gladiator to score four points in a game, with Kalan Lind notching four assists in a 5-3 win at Orlando on 10/23.

 Saturday, December 6^th – Atlanta 3, Jacksonville 4

• Despite falling behind 2-0 late in the first period, Atlanta rallied back with three second period goals from Lind, McNamee, and Burns to tie the game, before Taos Jordan scored the game winning goal for Jacksonville with 4:50 left in regulation. Haider stopped 26/30 in the loss.

Sunday, December 7^th – Jacksonville 2, Atlanta 3

• Cody Sylvester scored 45 seconds into the game to make it 1-0 Atlanta. Jacksonville tied it 6 minutes into the first, but goals from Chad Nychuk and Isak Walther were able to push the Gladiators past the Icemen in the rubber match despite a late Jacksonville push to tie. Semptimphelter stopped 29/31.

TEAM NOTES

The Gladiators scored power play goals in four straight games before the streak was snapped on Sunday vs Jacksonville – the longest stretch of the season thus far. Atlanta has gone 6/21 on the power play over the last five games (28.5%).

The Gladiators are averaging 1.95 goals against per game – the lowest figure in the ECHL. They are the only team to average under 2 goals against per game. 

PLAYER NOTES

Alex Young: Has 2g, 3a in his last five games.

Mike McNamee: Has scored goals in two straight games (did not play on Sunday).

Louis Boudon: Had four points on Friday for the first time in his ECHL career and has 3g, 8a in his last seven games.

Isak Walther: Has 4g and 4a in his last seven games and is 11^th among rookies in points (14).

Ethan Scardina: Scored his first professional goal an Friday at Jacksonville (SHG). 

Chad Nychuk: Has 2g, 5a in his last six games. Nychuk is 3^rd amongst ECHL defensemen in points with 17.

Cody Sylvester: With a goal and an assist on Sunday, has passed Eric Neiley for 4^th most points in a Gladiators uniform with 233 points as a Gladiator. 

T.J. Semptimphelter: Is third amongst goaltenders in save percentage (.940), and second in goals against average (1.59)

ATLANTA GLADIATORS STATISTICAL LEADERS

Goals: Alex Young/Isak Walther - 7

Assists: Chad Nychuk/Louis Boudon - 14

Points: Louis Boudon - 20

+/-: Chad Nychuk - +11

Penalty Minutes: Ryan Conroy - 19

Power Play Goals: Alex Young - 4

Power Play Assists: Louis Boudon - 6

Shorthanded Goals: Seven tied

Points per Game: Louis Boudon – 1.05

Wins: Ethan Haider/T.J. Semptimphelter - 7

GAA: T.J. Semptimphelter – 1.59

Save Percentage: T.J. Semptimphelter - .940

Shutouts: T.J. Semptimphelter – 1

ATLANTA GLADIATORS ROSTER

Forwards (14): Ryley Appelt, Louis Boudon, Mickey Burns, Joey Cipollone, Carson Denomie, Ryan Francis, Kalan Lind, Mike McNamee, Peter Morgan, Ryan Nolan, Ethan Scardina, Cody Sylvester, Isak Walther, Alex Young

Defensemen (8): Dylan Carabia, Ryan Conroy, Anthony Firriolo, Andrew Jarvis, Brendan Less, Chad Nychuk, Jack Robilotti, Zach Yoder

Goaltenders (2): Ethan Haider, T.J. Semptimphelter

Hockey Operations Staff:

Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations: Matt Ginn

Assistant Coach: Zach Vinnell

Equipment Manager: Ben Ellis

Athletic Trainer: Nick Nelson

The Atlanta Gladiators are the proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators and the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals; and have been supplying professional hockey and family friendly entertainment to the greater Atlanta area since 2003. Join the Gladiators in battle - get your tickets HERE!