Streak-busters: Jacksonville's 4-goal outburst in the 2nd period snaps Atlanta's win streak at 5 games and results in a 7-2 loss by the Gladiators

Preview: Jacksonville Icemen (14-9-2-0/30 points/6th in the ECHL Eastern Conference) vs the Atlanta Gladiators (12-11-3-1/28 points/7th in the ECHL Eastern Conference)

Coming into tonight's game (December 21, 2024 at 7pm EST in Duluth, GA at the Gas South District), the Atlanta Gladiators are playing similar to butter.

They are on a roll.

Coming in with a 5-game winning streak on Margaritaville (themed) night (which includes a post-game jersey auction), the team is rising up the ECHL Eastern Conference standings as they focus on their goals of making the postseason and returning to the Kelly Cup (ECHL Championship). Their opponent, the Jacksonville Icemen (6th in the ECHL Eastern Conference), have other ideas. Led by leading scorers Davis Koch (6 goals/12 assists/18 points), Christopher Brown (8 goals/6 assists/14 points), and Zach Jordan (7 goals/7 assists/14 points), they'll look to make matters tough for the Glads' defense (allowing 2.8 goals per game) and goaltender Drew DeRidder (4-6-3 with a 2.67 goals allowed average and a .916 save percentage).

By the same token, the Icemen have to contend with an Atlanta offense showing sound improvement beyond their season average of 2.3 goals scored per game. Led by team captain Eric Neiley (9 goals/12 assists/21 points), Cody Sylvester (7 goals/12 assists/19 points), and Derek Topatigh (4 goals/14 assists/18 points), the Glads look to continue their winning ways against a sound Jacksonville defense (allowing 2.5 goals per game).

Recap: The Icemen score 4 goals in the 2nd period to out-distance the Glads and end their winning streak.

The Icemen score twice in the 1st period as they try to derail the Glads' efforts for their 6th win in a row along with snatching a win on the road.

Brendan Harris' 7th goal of the season (4:16 in the 1st quarter Brayden Hislep and Noah Laaouran) gives Jacksonville an early lead and they'd extend it to 2-0 at the 15:40 mark of the period thanks to Logan Cockerill's 4th goal of the year (assisted by Davis Koch and Carter Allen) before play halts for the 1st intermission.

In the 2nd period, the Icemen would extend the lead to 3-0, as Ty Cheveldayoff's scores his 4th goal of the season (6:24 in the 2nd period assisted by Brayden Hislep and Jonathan Hampton).

The Gladiators would get back in the game, and rather quickly.

At the 11:00 mark of the 2nd period, the Glads would cash in on the power paly as Derek Topatigh scores his 5th of the season (assisted by Carson Denomie and Jackson Pierson) to get them in the scoring column. And a mere 39 seconds later, Michael Marchesan would score an unassisted goal (his 3rd of the season at the 11:39 mark of the 2nd period) to get the Glads within a goal (trailing 3-2).

However, the Icemen would erupt for 3 unanswered goals in a 5 minute span, including a power play goal, to extend their lead to 6-2.

Lance Cockerill would score 2 consecutive goals (his 5th and 6th goals of the season) at the 14:46 mark of the 2nd period on the power play (assisted by Liam Coughlin and Brendan Harris) and the 18:35 mark of the 2nd period (assisted by Noah Laaouan and Brendan Harris). Chase Lang would add a goal at the 19:04 mark of the 2nd period (his 2nd of the year, assisted by Chris Grando and Zach Jordan) to give the Icemen a 4-goal advantage.

Jonathan Hampton's goal at the 12:58 mark of the 3rd period (his 2nd of the season assisted by Noah Laaouan and Justin McRae) increases the Icemen lead to 7-2. The goal is the team's 4th unanswered since Atlanta worked it to a 1-goal margin (3-2).

While Atlanta has the edge in shots on goal (they outshoot Jacksonville 33 to 24) and the power play is relatively event (Jacksonville is 1 for 3 while Atlanta is 1 for 2), the scoring barrage in the 2nd and 3rd period is too much for the Gladiators to overcome.

They'll look to bounce back on Friday, December 27th (7:30pm EST at the Gas South District in Duluth, GA) as they'll host their I85 rivals, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Notes: All video and photography is captured by Creative Community Solutions. Click HERE for our 2024-25 season playlist (and subscribe today) and click HERE for our coverage of the Gladiators and the ECHL.