EVERBLADES EDGED BY GLADIATORS, 3-2

ESTERO, Fla. – Gabe Guertler's two goals led the Atlanta Gladiators to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Everblades Wednesday night at Hertz Arena.Atlanta outshot Florida 14-6 in the first period and built up a 2-0 lead on goals by Reece Vitelli and Guertler. Florida would respond early in the second with a goal by Kobe Roth, but Guertler’s second of the game restored the Gladiators' two-goal advantage. Dominic Franco provided a shorthanded goal in the third, but that would be as close as the Everblades would get.Atlanta has now won two of three meetings with Florida this season. The Gladiators have now won five of their last six games while handing the Everblades their first loss at Hertz Arena this season.The two teams will square off again Friday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. with the Everblades looking to get back in the win column.

SCORING SUMMARY – Click for full box score   1st Period6:35 Atlanta R. Vitelli 4 (C. Sylvester)10:05 Atlanta G. Guertler 4 PP (E. Neiley, R. Vitelli)  2nd Period2:12 Florida K. Roth 3 (M. Neville)10:55 Atlanta G. Guertler 5 (C. Sylvester, D. Topatigh) 3rd Period5:48 Florida D. Franco 3 SH (Unassisted)

GOALTENDERSAtlanta – Tyler Parks, 27 SavesFlorida – Cam Johnson, 24 Saves

TEAM STATISTICSShots on Goal – Atlanta 27, Florida 29Power Plays – Atlanta 1-4, Florida 0-7Shorthanded Goals – Atlanta 0, Florida 1Penalties (Minutes) – Atlanta 9 (21), Florida 5 (21)

NEWS AND NOTES

• Florida (6-3-1-0) saw its three-game unbeaten streak come to an end, snapping the season’s second-longest stretch without a loss in regulation. 
• Kobe Roth found the net for the second straight game, the first time in his brief professional career he has scored in back-to-back contests. Roth has notched a point in four of his last five matches.
• Dominic Franco ran his point streak to four games and picked up the Everblades’ second shorthanded goal of the season. It was the Blades’ first since Mike Neville tallied a shorty on opening night.
• Cam Johnson turned aside 24 shots and saw his personal five-game unbeaten streak draw to a close. Johnson entered the match with a 4-0-1-0 record over his previous five starts. 
• With Atlanta taking a 2-0 lead after the first period, tonight’s game marked the first time since the season opener, a span of nine games, that the Everblades surrendered multiple goals in the opening frame.
• The 3-2 margin was the fourth time in the Blades’ last five contests with a 3-2 final score.

NEXT GAME 

The Everblades and Gladiators will square off for the second game of the current three-game set Friday night at Hertz Arena. Action is slated to get underway at 7:30 p.m. The contest will be the fourth meeting of the South Division rivals this season, with Atlanta entering play holding a 2-1 advantage in the season series.

Fans can take advantage of the popular 239 Friday Deals and pick up two tickets, two programs and two Kraken cocktails for the extra special price of $39! In addition, kids 12 and under can eat free at Breakaway Sports Pub, while all fans will receive a magnet schedule, courtesy of Christmas Tree Shops.Be sure and catch all the action on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM and online at https://espnswfl.com or Mixlr at https://everblades.mixlr.com.

JOIN THE FUN

Become a member of the Florida Everblades family by securing a great seat location and big savings with a Blades 365 Membership!

Purchase a new Voucher 12 package that allows you to use 12 tickets in any quantity during the 2022-23 season to earn the exclusive benefits of being a Blades 365 Member! To view the Blades 365 Membership savings, benefits and options click HERE.

Everblades put the FUN in FUNdraising! There is no handling of money or tickets and no limit to the amount of money your group can make with the Everblades easy-to-run online Fundraiser! For more information, or to reserve a Fundraiser Night at an Everblades regular season home game, call or text (239) 948-7825.

Calling all Everblades fans! Be among the first hockey fans in Southwest Florida to show off your pride in the newly-crowned Kelly Cup Champion Florida Everblades! Grab the newest and hottest Kelly Cup Championship merchandise by checking out the entire collection that is available online by visiting shop.floridaeverblades.com or at the Hertz Arena Pro Shop!

JOIN THE CONVERSATIONWatch every Florida Everblades game on FloHockey.TV. Listen to the exciting game action on ESPN Southwest Florida on 770 AM, 98.1 FM, 104.3 FM, online at https://espnswfl.com or Mixlr at https://everblades.mixlr.com!  

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The Florida Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.

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