DULUTH, GA – The Atlanta Gladiators edged the Brampton Beast 1-0 on Sunday afternoon behind a 35-save shutout from goalie Chris Nell. The win was the Gladiators’ 16th of the season.
Less than 48 hours after giving up seven goals, the Gladiators looked to rebound in the defensive zone in a Sunday matinee against one of the league’s toughest teams. Brampton was capping off a five-game tour of the ECHL South Division, falling 4-3 to the Jacksonville Icemen Saturday night.
The game developed as a defensive bout, with both teams throwing around their bodies around and getting stellar play in net. The Gladiators navigated three first-period penalties, including 1:28 of 5-on-3 action to keep the league’s fourth best power play at bay. Brampton finished the day 0-for-6 on the man-advantage.
Nell stood tall when forward David Vallorani received a pass out of the penalty box, springing a breakaway chance. The Bowling Green product quelled the best Brampton scoring chance of the game in the waning seconds of the second period.
The scoreless tie was finally broken just :82 seconds into the final frame. Forward Tommy Marchin and defenseman Joel Messner hooked up on a pass before finding defenseman Cody Corbett streaking down the left wing. Corbett’s blast from the edge of the face-off circle ripped behind Brampton goalie Alex Dubeau to give Atlanta the lead. Despite the empty-net push from the scrappy visitors, Atlanta recorded their first shutout win of the season.
The Gladiators continue their homestand Wednesday evening when they host the Orlando Solar Bears at 7:05 p.m. Fans are encouraged to snag their tickets for “Glads Win, You Win” today. Every fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday home game in Atlanta gets the win.
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