By Michael Gonzalez
DULUTH, Ga. — The Atlanta Gladiators fell 3-2 to the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday afternoon at Gas South Arena, closing out their opening weekend with a loss.
Atlanta looked to repeat its success against Norfolk after its 2-1 win Saturday night.
The opening period featured three goals as Norfolk took a 2-1 lead. The game started poorly for the Gladiators as the Admirals opened the scoring 35 seconds into the game. Atlanta tied the game later in the first period with a goal by Ethan Strang, assisted by Connor Caponi 12 minutes into the period. Norfolk regained the lead when Will Gavin scored a power play goal off an assist from Jack O’Leary with 5:30 to play in the period. Penalties hurt the Gladiators in the first period, with three penalties to the Admirals’ one. The Admirals went into the first intermission outshooting Atlanta 20-10 with a one-goal lead.
Neither team scored in the second period. Physicality picked up in the second and third periods, including Owen Murray’s first professional fight and a big hit by Joey Cipollone. Both moments sent two different Admirals players to the locker room.
Norfolk extended its lead to 3-1, 6:51 into the third period with another goal from Will Gavin as he finished with two goals for the night. Atlanta immediately struck back twelve seconds later with a goal by Samuel Tremblay to cut the deficit to 3-2. Andrew Jarvis earned an assist on the goal. The Gladiators rallied unsuccessfully, after having a two-man advantage that gave them a 5-on-3 power play for the final two minutes of the game.
Norfolk finished with a 45-37 advantage in shots on goal. Goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter made a career-high 42 saves, surpassing his previous high by nine. Atlanta went 0-for-5 on power plays, while Norfolk finished 1-for-4.
The Gladiators will be on the road for eight straight games, beginning against the Florida Everblades on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta’s next home game will be Friday, Nov. 13, against the Trois-Rivières Lions.
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