West Valley City, UT – The Atlanta Gladiators defeated the Utah Grizzlies 5-1 at Maverik Center on Friday night to improve to 16-5 on the season. Isak Walther led the way, notching his first professional hat trick with three goals against Utah.

After taking the opening game of the three-game set on Wednesday 6-3, the Gladiators looked to continue their winning ways on Friday night. T.J. Semptimphelter started in net for the Gladiators, while Dylan Wells got the start for the Grizzlies. 

For the second straight game, Isak Walther opened the scoring 9:39 into the first period. Cody Sylvester and Louis Boudon earned the assists on the goal to put Atlanta up 1-0. The Grizzlies did have an opportunity on the power play in the opening frame, but Atlanta was able to get the kill. Shots were 7-6 in favor of the Grizzlies after one period of play.

Isak Walther struck again 11:08 into the second period, tipping in a precise pass tape to tape from Cody Sylvester to make it 2-0 Gladiators. Louis Boudon earned an assist as well. With the assist, Sylvester recorded his 300^th career professional assist. 1:50 later, Ethan Scardina redirected a slap pass from Chad Nychuk to make it 3-0. Scardina’s second goal of the year was assisted by Nychuk and Jack Matier. After three periods of play, Atlanta led 3-0, with Utah outshooting 19-16.

Atlanta controlled the play in the third period and extended its lead with Ryan Nolan scoring with 5:29 left in regulation from Ryan Francis and Alex Young to make it 4-0. Nolan extended his point streak to five games with 2 goals and 4 assists in that span. With the assist, Francis now has 100 points in his professional career. The Grizzlies broke Semptimphelter’s shutout bid with a pinball shot that skipped off a series of bodies to make it a 4-1 game. Reilly Connors scored his first of the year from Colby Enns and Evan Friesen with 4:57 left to play. The Gladiators went to the power play late in regulation, and on that power play, Isak Walther buried his third of the night on a stuff attempt, earning his first professional hat trick. It is the first hat trick for a Gladiators skater since Cody Sylvester scored three times against Cincinnati on 1/2/25 in a 5-3 win. Walther’s goal made it 5-1 with 17 seconds left, as the Gladiators skated out of Maverik Center with a 5-1 victory.

T.J. Semptimphelter stopped 28/29 for his 8^th win of the season. Dylan Wells stopped 22/27 in the loss for Utah. The Gladiators won the special teams battle, going 1/3 on the power play and 4/4 on the penalty kill. 

Isak Walther was named the first star of the game with three goals. T.J Semptimphelter was named the second star of the game stopping 28/29 and only allowing one goal. Cody Sylvester was named the third star of the game with two assists.

The Gladiators and Grizzlies face-off for the final time ever Saturday night at Maverik Center with puck drop set for 9:10 PM EST. Coverage on the Gladiators Broadcast Network on FloHockey and YouTube begins at 8:50 EST.