The Atlanta Gladiators scored two goals in the third period and skated out of Jacksonville with a 2-1 win on Friday night.
The Icemen started the game strong with multiple scoring chances in the first minute. That was followed by a scrum in front of the net which featured the game's first penalties. Despite a scoreless first frame, Jacksonville dominated offensively, outshooting the visiting Gladiators 14 to four.
Jacksonville didn't skip a beat in the second period as the home team continued to control possession. Jimmy Lodge brought the puck in on a rush from the right side and found Everett Clark for a shot from the right circle. Clark would collect his rebound and set up a nice passing sequence which led to Dienes taking a slapshot that got deflected by Lodge and past goalie Sean Bonar for the Icemen 1-0 lead. Jacksonville would continue to stifle Atlanta the rest of the period, holding the visitors to six shots in the frame.
In the third period, the Gladiators started to take over the momentum. With 7:45 remaining in the game, Ben Marshall sent a fantastic saucer pass over to Alex Gacek who buried the shot to tie the game. Minutes later, the Gladiators would go on the power play with a chance to take the lead for the first time all game. Six seconds later, the Gladiators took full advantage when Lindsay Sparks scored to give Atlanta the 2-1 lead. The Icemen would respond with a flurry of chances, but would end up falling just short of their first-ever winning streak.
Jacksonville will hit the road to take on the Gladiators on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 2:05 p.m. before continuing the 2017-18 season presented by Community First Credit Union when the Solar Bears visit town on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
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