The Atlanta Gladiators tallied two deflections in the second period to power them past the Icemen on Thursday night. Jimmy Lodge scored the lone goal for Jacksonville as the Icemen dropped the puck on Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend.
After missing Sunday's game due to an illness, Jimmy Lodge made an impactful return to action on Thursday night. Minutes into the first period, Elgin Pearce battled two defenders and found Lodge entering the offensive zone with speed. Lodge skated to the slot and fired a wrist shot past Sean Bonar inside the right post for the early lead. The Gladiators were limited to just six shots on goal in the first period, with All-Star Christopher Dienes breaking up their best chance, a two-on-one breakaway.
Over halfway into the second period, Eric Shand fired the puck towards the goal and Brady Vail deflected the puck between his legs and past Lotz to tie the game. Minutes later, Brady Vail sent a shot from the blue line on goal, but it was deflected by Luke Sandler to the left of Lotz and in for the first Gladiators lead of the game. Atlanta would hold onto the advantage and enter the third period with a 2-1 lead.
Jacksonville came out with momentum in the third period, dominating offensively with 10 shots on goal in the final frame. Despite two key power plays in the final 20 minutes, the Icemen couldn't get a puck past Bonar, and the Gladiators held on for the win.
The Icemen are back tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. to take on Atlanta.
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