By Michael Gonzalez
DULUTH, Ga. — The Atlanta Gladiators defeated the Norfolk Admirals 2-1 at Gas South Arena in their 2026-27 home opener. Rookies Colton Friesen and Ben Strinden both scored their first pro goals in the victory with Mike McNamee assisting on both Gladiators goals in the second and third periods.
Atlanta looked to bounce back after its 5-1 loss to Greenville on Friday night. The Gladiators and Admirals met for the first time since 2024.
The game started with a bang, as Atlanta’s Connor Caponi fought Norfolk’s Matt Argentine 28 seconds into the game. It took a while for the game to produce its first goal, but in the second period both teams broke through to put one in the back of the net. Norfolk’s Kristóf Papp opened the scoring with 3:55 left in the second period on a 4v3 power play, followed by a goal from Atlanta’s Colton Friesen just 1:32 later – the first of his pro career – to tie the game at 1-1. Friesen’s goal was assisted by Stephen Calisti and Mike McNamee.
On the power play, Ben Strinden scored the eventual game-winning goal 6:12 into the third period to secure the 2-1 victory. Strinden’s goal was assisted by Mike McNamee and Ethan Strang. The game marked the first professional goals for both Friesen and Strinden.
Goaltender Ethan Haider made 24 saves on 25 shots for Atlanta, while Norfolk goaltender Collin Delia stopped 30 of the Gladiators’ 32 shots. With this appearance, Haider tied Shawn Fields for the third-most appearances by a Gladiators goaltender, with 76. Atlanta went 1/6 on the power play and 4/5 on the penalty kill in the win.
This marks the Gladiators’ sixth consecutive home opener with a win since resuming play in the 2021-22 season.
The Gladiators return home against Norfolk on October 18 at 3:10 p.m.
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