The 3rd time (in 9 days) is the charm: the Atlanta Gladiators break through against the Orlando Solar Bears for a 3-0 shutout win

Preview: Orlando Solar Bears (35-22-10-0/80 points/4th place in the ECHL Southern Division) vs Atlanta Gladiators (26-30-7-2/61 points/6th place in the ECHL Southern Division)

The April 4th (7:30pm EST at the Gas South District) faceoff between the Orlando Solar Bears and the Atlanta Gladiators marks the 3rd time in the past 9 days the Southern Division rivals meet. In the previous 2 games, the Solar Bears come away with overtime wins (4-3 on March 26th and 3-2 on April 2nd) and look to add another win as they inch their way up the playoff rankings/seeding.

Led on offense by Aaron Luchuk (23 goals/34 assists/57 points) and Spencer Kersten (24 goals/29 assists/53 points), they look to apply another tier of pressure on the Atlanta defense (allowing 3.4 goals per game). The Gladiators counter with Cody Sylvester (23 goals/22 assists/45 points) and Derek Topatigh (11 goals/30 assists/41 points) as the team looks to get closer to the .500 mark before the end of the season.

And here comes Round 3.

Recap: Despite the physical play, outstanding defense and goaltending result in a 3-0 win for the Glads

Hard hitting is the name of the game as there's multiple close calls during the 1st and 2nd period and a few roughing and game misconducts called. Despite the physical fever pitch, Atlanta 's Cody Sylvester gives the Glads a 1-0 lead on his 24th goal of the season (6:51 in the 1st period assisted by Randy Hernandez and Jackson Pierson.

Physical play, stout defense, and sound goaltending are the themes present throughout the game. At least 7 total penalties are of the fighting, roughing, gams misconduct, or unsportsmanlike conduct variety.

Atlanta would add to the lead at the 15:41 mark of the 3rd period on the power play. Alex Young hits paydirt with his 11th goal of the season (assisted by Mickey Burris and Anthony Firriolo). At the 17:05 mark of the 3rd period, Atlanta extends the lead to 3-0 as Alex Young adds his 2nd goal of the game and 12th of the season (assisted by Jeremy Hanzel) on the power play.

In the winning effort, Glads's goaltender Ethan Haider pitches a shutout (27 saves on 27 shots) as the team finally breakthrough against the Solar Bears and inches closer to getting back to the .500 mark.

For post-game, Atlanta's Head Coach Derek Nesbitt and forward Tyler Drevitch take time to speak with us. Both speak to the team's focus and execution being integral to the team's success in tonight's win along with things to build on for their upcoming game(s).

Notes: After a turnaround road game against one of their division rivals, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (April 5th in Greenville, SC at 7:05pm EST), the Gladiators return home for Fan Appreciation Day on April 6th (3pm EST at the Gas South District) against yet another division rival, the Jacksonville Ice Men.

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