DULUTH - The Gwinnett Gladiators used two goals by Mike Vigilante and two assists by Derek Nesbitt to get past the Florida Everblades 4-2 on Saturday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Gwinnett improves to 14-5-1 on the season with the win and remain in sole possession of second place in the ECHL's South Division. Dirk Southern broke out of his scoring slump for Gwinnett, posting his first goal for the Gladiators since November 9th in the win.
Florida jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the Gladiators just 2:19 into the first period. Brandon Roach beat Gladiators netminder Craig Kowalski with a wrist shot from the right wing point, through traffic and over the shoulder of the netminder for the marker. Brad Herauf and Jarret Lukin notched the assists on the goal for the Everblades.
Mike Vigilante's 7th goal of the season tied the game at one. Parked in the slot, Vigilante deflected Jamie Milam's slapshot from the right point past Florida netminder Tyler Plante for the marker. Jeff Campbell also had an assist on the goal for Gwinnett at the 7:12 mark of the first period.
The score stood through the second period despite chances on both sides of the ice. Florida broke the 1-1 tie just 2:49 into the third period on a tally by Mathieu Melanson. On a delayed penalty coming up to Gwinnett, Florida cycled the puck deep in the Gwinnett zone before Melanson found the back of the net. Roach and Brad Zancanaro posted the assist on the goal for Florida.
Gwinnett tied the game up on Dirk Southern's first goal over the past 11 games. Parked on the back door on the power play, Southern took a rink-wide pass from Vigilante and beat Plante for the marker. Derek Nesbitt also collected an assist on the power play goal at 10:39 of the third period for Gwinnett.
Jeff Mason's first goal of the season could not have come at a more timely point for Gwinnett. Mason ripped a slapshot just inside the left goal post for the go-ahead goal for Giwnnett on the power play at 12:57 of the third period. Chad Denny and Nesbitt notched the assist on the man-advantage goal for Gwinnett.
Vigilante recorded his second goal of the game for the Gladiators as he iced the contest for Gwinnett with just 43 seconds left in the third period with an empty net goal. Picking up a loose puck in the neutral zone, Vigliante threaded the puck through the legs of a Florida defenseman for the unassisted marker.
Gladiators netminder Craig Kowalski posted 37 saves for the Gladiators in the win while Gwinnett went 2-for-5 on the power play. Florida was unsuccessful on their four power play chances.
The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Tuesday, December 11th as they host the Augusta Lynx at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Friday's game via AccessNorthGa.com "Access Radio" audio stream channel 3.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.
The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.
Tuesday
April 29th, 2025
12:05PM
