Iced out: The Orlando Solar Bears' 2 goals in a 58 second span are the difference as the Atlanta Gladiators drop a 3-2 decision

Preview: Orlando Solar Bears (19-16-5-0/43 points/4th place in the Southern Division of the ECHL Eastern Conference) vs the Atlanta Gladiators (17-17-3-1/38 points/6th place in the Southern Division of the ECHL Eastern Conference)

After a few days off, the Atlanta Gladiators return to the ice at home, the Gas South District (January 17, 2025 with a 7:30pm EST start time). Sitting 5 points out of a playoff spot (as the top-4 teams in each division make the playoffs), tonight's division matchup against the Orlando Solar Bears (who currently hold the 4th playoff spot in their division) is a huge matchup as the teams looks to make an upward move in the standings prior to the All Star Break.

Glads' goalie Ethan Haider (13-7-0-1 with 3 shutouts along with a 2.67 goals allowed average and .907 save percentage) looks to contain the Solar Bears' offense (averaging 2.6 goals per game) led by Aaron Luchuk (15 goals/20 assists/35 points) and Jack Adams (7 goals/16 assists/23 points). By the same token, Cody Sylvester (14 goals/14 assist2/28 points) and team captain Eric Neiley (10 goals/16 assists/26 points) look to lead the offense against the Solar Bears' Ryan Fanti (8-10-1 with 1 shutout along with a 2.88 goals allowed average and .901 save percentage) and provide a spark as the Glads are scoring at a 2.6 goals per game clip.

Recap: Orlando's 2 goals in less than a minute (during the 3rd period) provide the difference in the game.

The Glads would take an early 1-0 lead at the 13:57 mark of the 1st period. Ryan Cranford cashes in on the power play opportunity for his 7th goal of the season (assisted by Eaton Armstrong and Patriks Marcinkevics).

However, the lead would not last for too long as the Solar Bears tie the game at the 17:51 mark on Jarrett Lee's 6th goal of the season (assisted by Brayden Low and Kelly Bent). After a skirmish between Orlando's Tyler Bird and Atlanta's Dominiks Marcinkevics, both teams would play an evenly contested opening period.

Defense would be the calling card for both teams in the 2nd period as neither team is able to score (including Orlando's power play opportunity which is shut down by the Atlanta defense and goaltending).

In the 3rd period, the Solar Bears would take their first lead of the game (6:44 in the 3rd period). Jaydon Dureau scores his 8th goal of the season (assisted by Hudson Thornton and Spencer Kersten) to take a 2-1 lead. And a mere 58 seconds later (7:42 in the 3rd period), a one-timer by Andrew Coxhead (3rd goal of the season assisted by Alex Cohen and Tyson Feist) gives them a 3-1 lead (and their 3rd consecutive goal).

Atlanta pulls their goalie for an extra skater in the last 2-plus minutes of the period and close the gap to 3-2 at the 19:03 mark thanks to a goal by Blake Murray (his 10th of the season assisted by Eric Neiley and Cody Sylvester). Despite the late rally along with the advantage on the power play (Atlanta is 1 for 1 while Orlando is 0 for 2) and shots on goal (34 to 25), the Glads' effort falls just short of their desired outcome.

For post-game, Glads' defenseman Michael Marchesan speaks with us on areas of focus and related takeaways which can help them for their next game, which happens to be back at the Gas South District on January 18, 2025 (7pm EST) as they host another division rival, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. With it being their annual Star Wars theme night, the team hopes to "the force" being with them as they look to get a win in their next game.

Notes: All photos and video are recorded by asnortonccs. You may also catch our video snapshots and interviews on our 2024-25 playlist (click HERE to view and subscribe).