2:36 into the middle period the Apple Valley, MN native picked up his second goal of the season as he blasted a slap shot past screened Idaho goalie Josh Robinson (37 saves) from the near circle to put Gwinnett up 1-0. Andy Brandt and Tristin Llewellyn each picked up a helper on the play.
After a delay to clean up the numerous bears scattered on the ice, Idaho forward David Toews tied the game 4:25 into the second. The Steelheads grabbed the lead early in the third, as Andrew Carroll deflected a shot from point blank range past Louis Domingue at 4:53 on the power play.
Forward Alex Belzile answered for the Gladiators 11:43 into the final period to tie the score at 2-2. The marker came as Corey Fienhage danced the puck around some Steelheads to get a pass to Belzile at the near post. The St. Eloi, PQ native just barely tucked it past Robinson with Fienhage and Doug Jones adding the assists.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel deflected in his fourth game-winning goal of the season 18:53 into the third on the power play. Jones took a big slapper from the far point that Pierro-Zabotel managed to tip by Robinson to put the Gladiators ahead for good, 3-2. Fienhage had the other assist.
Domingue (23 saves) and the Gladiators slammed the door shut over the final minute, and held on for the 3-2 win.
The Gladiators will return to the Arena at Gwinnett Center to face the Idaho Steelheads once again on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/1/257656