DULUTH, GA – Stephen MacAulay scored two goals and added two assists to help lead the Florida Everblades (15-2-1-2, 33 points) to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Gladiators (10-7-1-1, 22 points) Friday night at the Infinite Energy Arena.
Just two-minutes into the first period, Florida took a 1-0 lead when Michael Kirkpatrick got the Everblades on the board first as he re-directed a MacAulay shot into the net. MacAulay fired the puck from just below the end line towards the front of goal. Hitting the stick of Kirkpatrick, the puck deflected straight into the top corner of the net.
The Gladiators tied the game at 1-1 just over a minute-and-a-half later as Lindsay Sparks re-directed a shot into the net. Ryan Lannon picked up a drop pass from Zach Malatesta at the point. Lannon fired a slapshot and sent the puck off the stick of Sparks and past Everblades goaltender Callum Booth.
The ‘Blades took a 2-1 lead off a blazing shot from Gus Young. Picking up the puck in his own zone, Michael Kirkpatrick moved quickly to break into the attacking zone. Kirkpatrick circled the net and found Gus Young alone at the left wing circle. Young rang a shot off the crossbar and just into the net.
The Gladiators tied the score at 2-2 with just over two-minutes remaining in the first period, taking advantage of a power play chance. Brady Vail sent a pass across the face of the goal, but the puck hit off a skate in front and headed right into the Florida crease where it was quickly shoved home by Phil Lane.
Florida once again took a one-goal lead, this time cashing in on the power play to make the score 3-2. Gus Young fired a slap shot through traffic and off of Atlanta goaltender Dan Vladar. However, the rebound went right to the stick of John McCarron who quickly shoved the puck into the net.
That lead would last until just past the 14-minute mark of the middle frame when Atlanta once again tied the game, this time making the score 3-3. Winning an offensive zone faceoff, Lindsay Sparks brought the puck low into the attacking zone and centered a pass across the zone. The puck was met by Phil Lane who soon buried his second tally of the night.
In the third period, the Everblades once again jumped on top, taking a 4-3 lead midway through the final frame. MacAulay received a drop pass from John McCarron at the left wing circle. MacAulay wasted little time and stepped into his shot and ripped a hard slap shot into the back of the net.
MacAulay later added an empty net tally in the final minute of regulation, as the Everblades would hold onto their fourth and final lead of the game, earning the 5-3 win over the rival Gladiators.
Booth played well in goal for the Everblades and earned the win after stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced. Vladar suffered the loss in goal for the Gladiators after allowing four goals on 30 shots.
Returning to the ice Saturday night, the Florida Everblades will once again take on the rival Atlanta Gladiators. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern Time.
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