WORCESTER, MA – The Atlanta Gladiators completed their northern swing with a match up against the Worcester Railers with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win Saturday night.
The Railers were quick to strike when forward Arnaud Durandeau found the back of the Gladiators net within the first 90 seconds. It took the Gladiators about two minutes to answer back when defenseman Zach Malatesta scored an even strength goal with help from forward Tommy Marchin and forward Samuel Asselin. Worcester responded with a high-sticking minor. In the ensuing power play, Malatesta scored his second of the game with assists coming from defenseman Cody Corbett and forward Logan Nelson. It was then Nelson who scored the Gladiators third goal of the game with help from forward Derek Nesbitt and forward Eric Neiley. Worcester capped off the period with an even strength goal by forward Barry Almeida with help coming from forward Nic Pierog and defenseman Connor Doherty to cut Atlanta’s lead to one.
The second period saw a Railers goal within the first 90 seconds again, as forward Ben Thomson found the back of the net with help from forward Dante Salituro and defenseman Ryan MacKinnon. The Gladiators answered when defenseman Josh Thrower scored off an offensive zone faceoff, won by forward Avery Peterson as he collected the lone assist.
Throughout the remainder of the game, both teams traded barbs until the final minute when Pierog scored the game-tying tally with assists from forward Drew Callin and Thomson. The last-second score gave each team a point, and sent the game to a three-on-three overtime session.
After exchanging scoring chances, it was a hit by defenseman Corbett that pushed the puck to forward Avery Peterson who rushed the puck to the offensive zone. Peterson passed the puck back to Corbett who scored the game-winner, calling off the road trip with an exhilarating victory.
Atlanta returns to home ice on Tuesday, February 11th when they host the Florida Everblades at 10:35 a.m. in the annual Education Day game.
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