Miller nabs game-winner in shootout victory for Glads

DULUTH -- The Gwinnett Gladiators collected a 4-3 victory over the Florida Everblades in a shooutout Friday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center and remain in first place in the ECHL's South Division. Gwinnett extended its lead in the Division to two points over Florida and three points over Greenville.

Gwinnett's Justin Milo opened the scoring for the Gladiators with a quick goal from the crease at 11:40 of the first period. Tyler Murovich picked up the assist with his pass from behind the net to set Milo up for his fourth goal of the season.

Gladiators defenseman Dallas Jackson scored a power play goal with a slapshot just inside the blue line at the 16:16 mark of the first. Nikita Kashirsky notched the assist for the goal to put the Glads up 2-0. This was the Glads second power play goal in the last 11 games.

At 17:37, The Everblade defenseman Jimmy Martin was able to cut the Gladiators lead back to one, bouncing the puck off a Gladiators defenseman past Jeff Jakaitis. The first period ended with the Glads on top 2-1.

Shane Sims looked to put the game away early in third period with a marker from the slot finishing a 3-on-1 break beating Nagle over the shoulder for the goal. Brian Brutlag and Nikita Kashirsky had the helpers. For Kashirsky, it was his second assist of the game.

The Blades refused to give up as they battled back late in the third period with back-to-back goals to tie the game 3-3 and push it into overtime. Scott Pitt and Trevor Bruess posted the two goals in the third.

The Gladiators and Everblades skated to a tie in overtime to push the game to a shootout.

Brad Miller posted the game winner in the first round of the shootout slipping the puck passed Nagle's stick side to give the Glads the 4-3 victory over the Everblades. Nikita Kashirsky also scored in the shootout for Gwinnett while Jeff Jakaitis stopped all four Everblades shooters to preserve the win.

The Gladiators will conclude their two-game set Saturday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center as they take on the Blades at 7:05 p.m.