The Admirals attack: Norfolk's 3-goal outburst in the 2nd period results in a 6-3 win over the Atlanta Gladiators

Preview: Norfolk Admirals (17-8-3-0/37 points/4th in the ECHL Eastern Conference) vs Atlanta Gladiators (14-12-3-1/32 points/8th in the ECHL Eastern Conference)

Coming into today's game (December 29, 2024 at 3pm EST at the Gas South District in Duluth, GA), the Atlanta Gladiators look to conclude the weekend and 2024 on a positive note. Their matchup with the visiting Norfolk Admirals is the 2nd of a back to back (as they win last night's game by a 3-1 score) against them and their 3rd game in a row (counting Friday's 6-5 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits).

With a win today, Atlanta has the opportunity to win 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9 as they make their move up the Eastern Conference standings. The Glads' leading scorers Eric Neiley (10 goals/13 assists/23 points), Cody Sylvester (8 goals/13 assists/21 points), and Derek Topatigh (5 goals/16 assists/21 points) look to put pressure on the Norfolk defense (allowing 3.0 goals per game). Likewise, the Admirals look to earn a split against the Gladiators as they are led by Brady Fleurent (10 goals/25 assists/35 points) and Stepan Timofeyev (8 goals/15 assists/23 points) on offense.

Prior to the game, guest reporter Lauren Houston takes time to interview Gladiators' forward Michael Marchesan (4 goals/2 assists/6 points) as he shares his insight on today's game and related topics:

Game recap: The Admirlals' 2nd period outburst leads them to a win against the Gladiators.

Norfolk would take an early 1-0 lead at the 7:38 mark of the 1st period, as Jaden Shields' goal (his 1st of the season assisted by Denis Smirnov) makes its way past Gladiator goalie Dysen Skinner (who comes in today's game making his first start of the season).

After an extended review at the 8:46 mark of the 2nd period, the Admirals would make it a 2-0 game. Brady Fleurent notches his 11th goal of the season (assisted by Brandon Osmundson) to extend Norfolk's lead.

The Admirals would continue their scoring flurry as they add 2 goals a mere 17 seconds apart from each other.

Denis Smirnov adds his 9th goal of the season (10:18 in the 2nd period assisted by Josh McDougall) and German Yavash helps with his 2nd goal of the season (assisted by Nathan Kelly) to give Norfolk a 4-0 lead.

Atlanta would come out with a spirited effort in the 3rd period. After some rough play early in the period, Easton Armstrong scores his 4th goal of the season on the Glads' power play (7:47 in the 3rd period assisted by Jeremy Hanzel and Cody Sylvester) to cut the deficit to 4-1. Norfolk would counter with a power play goal of their own at the 12:01 mark of the 3rd period. Denis Smirnov adds his 10th goal of the season (assisted by Jaden Shields and Carson Golder) to give the Admirals a 5-1 lead.

Atlanta would cut into the lead at the 18:09 mark as they score their 2nd power play goal of the game. Jeremy Hanzel scores his 2nd goal of the season (assisted by Jackson Pierson and Easton Armstrong) to make it a 5-2 game. However, the Admirals would respond at the 18:58 mark as Filip Fornaa-Svensson notches his 6th goal of the season (assisted by Josh McDougall) to make it a 6-2 game.

The Gladiators would respond accordingly with a late goal by Carson Denomie, his 5th of the season (assisted by Eaton Armstrong and Andrew Jarvis) at the 19:26 mark to close out the game at 6-3.

Overall, the shots on goal are fairly even (Norfolk has the edge 38-36) and Atlanta has the advantage on the power play (2 for 5 as Norfolk is 1 for 2), but the 2nd period scoring streak puts Atlanta in a tough position to overcome.

Despite today's loss, the Glads are playing improved hockey as they win 2 of the 3 games on this homestand and have a 7-2 record over their past 9 games. They'll look to get back in the win column for their next game on January 3, 2025.

Notes: Photos and video are recorded by Lauren Houston and asnortonccs. You may watch our 2024-25 season playlist (interviews and in-game snapshots) by clicking HERE.

The Gladiators return to the ice on January 3rd (7:30pm EST at the Gas South District) against the South Carolina Stingrays.