ESTERO, FLA. - Milan Gajic posted a hat trick for the Gladiators to help Gwinnett beat the Florida Everblades 7-4 in Game 4 of the American Conference South Division Finals and win the best-of-five series 3 games to one. With the win, Gwinnett advances to the American Conference Finals. The Series opens with Game 1 this Friday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m.
Gwinnett looked to take control of the contest jumping out to a 1-0 lead just 30 seconds into the game on Joel Stepp's 4th goal of the post season. Stepp jammed the puck past Florida netminder Phil Osaer on the shortside off a feed from behind the net from Derek Nesbitt. Cam Brown had his 25 ECHL post-season point of his career on the goal as he added an assist.
Ryan Brindley answered for the Everblades just 42 seconds later tying the game at one apiece. With Gwinnett unable to get set defensively, Brindly took a rink wide pass and beat Gladiators netminder Adam Berkhoel for the marker. Chris Lee and Ernie Hartlieb hooked up to pick up the assists on the goal.
Milan Gajic gave the Gladiators a 2-1 lead in the game with a goal on a penalty shot with just 18 seconds left in the opening period. Gajic slipped past the Florida defense but was hooked down from behind and was awarded the penalty shot. For Gajic, it was his team leading 5th goal of the post season.
Adam Courchaine gave Gwinnett a 3-1 lead with his 4th goal of the post season collecting a turnover and beating Osaer. Danny Eberly and Guillaume Desbiens had the assists on the goal scored just 2:04 into the second period.
Troy Milam ripped a slap shot past Osaer just 66 seconds later to give the Gladiators a 4-1 lead on the Everblades. Stepp picked up an assist on the goal as he fed Milam at the point where the blue liner wound up for the shot.
Milan Gajic's second goal of the game at the 7:02 mark of the second period gave the Gladiators a 5-1 lead on the Everblades chasing Osaer from the Florida net in favor of Kevin Nastiuk. Gajic took a pass on the off wing from Jon Awe as a Gladiators power play expired and ripped a one timer past Osaer for the goal. Courchaine also had an assist on the goal.
Florida got on the board in the second as Reggie Berg ripped a slap shot past Gwinnett netminder Adam Berkhoel from the off wing for the marker. Vince Bellissimo and Steve Chezk picked up the assists on the goal.
Bellissimo cut the Gladiators lead to two goals at the 12:36 mark of the second period sliding past a Gladiators defenseman and flipping the puck past Berkhoel for the marker. Dustin Johner collected an assist moving the puck past a Gladiators defenseman to set up the marker. Saviano also had an assist on the power play goal for the Everblades.
Troy Milam streaking in from the point gave the Gladiators a 6-3 lead with just 28 seconds left in the second period ripping a slap shot past Nastiuk from 30 feet out. Cam Brown had an assist on the goal feeding Milam walking in from the point for the tally.
Florida got back within two goals 4:45 into the third period on a backhand shot by Johner from the slot. Johner, from behind his back, rolled the puck past Berkhoel for the marker. Bellissimo and Brindley had the assists on the goal for the Everblades.
Florida pulled Nastiuk with over two minutes remaining in the third but Gajic completed the hat trick firing the puck into an empty net at the 18:38 mark of the final period. Gajic posted the empty net goal unassisted.
Adam Berkhoel collected his fourth win of the post season making 27 saves in the contest including a handful of point blank saves in the first period to keep the game close before Gwinnett blew it open later in the opening period.
The Gwinnett Gladiators continue the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday, May 5th at the Arena at Gwinnett Center for Game 1 of the ECHL American Conference Finals against the winner of the Toledo Storm-Wheeling Nailers Northern Conference Finals series at 7:35 p.m. The Gladiators offer several ticket packages for different needs as well as group outings, suites and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators play all home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center located on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth and are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.
Thursday
June 26th, 2025
12:32AM
