Atlanta snaps eight game losing streak against the Mariners

Story and Photo By: Matthew Wiernasz

PORTLAND, ME-  The Atlanta Gladiators snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Maine Mariners on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena.

The Gladiators got on the board 57 seconds into the opening period. Cody Sylvester went to the net and Eric Neiley put in the rebound to make it 1-0.

Pat Shea tied the game for the Mariners on the power play as he put the loose puck underneath the crossbar to tie the score at 1-1. Cody Sylvester would retake the lead for the Gladiators when he on a 2-on-1 rush and took the shot and beat Mariners goaltender Michael DiPietro. with 6:30 remaining in the opening period.

Austin Albrecht tied the game for the Mariners early in the second period when took the pass from Conner Bleackey. Albrecht took the shot with the one-timer with 17:13 remaining in the second period to tie the score at 2-2.

The Gladiators would retake late in the second period as Mike Pelech scored a power-play goal to make it 3-2.

The Gladiators would take advantage of another power play early in the third period as Grant Gabriele received a penalty with a double-minor for high-sticking. Sylvester would score his second goal of the game with 17:07 remaining in the second period.

Neiley would add an empty net goal for the Gladiators with his second goal of the game with 1:40 remaining in regulation to make it 5-2.

The Mariners start a three-game series tonight in Idaho as they will take on the Steelheads. The puck drop is at 9:10 p.m. The other two games will take place on Friday and Saturday.

The next home game for the Mariners will be on Wednesday, March 1 when they take on the Newfoundland Growlers for the Education Day game with the game beginning at 10:30 a.m. It will be the first of seven home games in March for the Mariners