The Atlanta Gladiators have been struggling lately, and it continued on Saturday with an 5-1 loss to the Orlando Solar Bears.
The Glads have hit a massive wall after jumping out to an 8-0 start to begin the season. It’s almost mind-boggling, given the amount of talent they have. Still, a slew of players in and out of the organization (headed to other destinations like the AHL) have not helped them develop the consistency they need.
Their offensive production has dropped considerably, and if the Glads don’t score first (6-4 when doing so) or lead after two periods (4-4 when doing so), it gets ugly quickly. The Glads are 0-11 when trailing after two periods. That’s not a typo. We saw it happen against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on December 16.
Playing with a sense of urgency early on and forcing the Orlando Solar Bears into a half-ice offense, the Glads fired 11 shots on goal in the first period. They capped off their efforts with a big backdoor goal from Cody Sylvester, who had some help from Micah Miller and Blake Evennou.
By late in the second period, the Gladiators were outshooting Orlando 24-19 with shots on goal but couldn’t connect. Much of that inability to find pay dirt was due to missing by just a few inches (Yeah, it was THAT CLOSE) and some heads-up plays by Orlando, who poked the puck away at just the right time.
As you might guess, the Solar Bears capitalized on Atlanta’s mistakes (scoring three goals amid some sloppy play and feistiness that sent Jacob Graves, Jack Matier, and Mitch Walinski to the penalty box). Heading to the third, Atlanta found itself in familiar territory.
With just over 12 minutes remaining, Atlanta has a blistering 27 shots on goal but has yet to succeed since Sylvester’s early goal. As the Glads try to figure out, the arena is relatively silent (aside from Livin’ on a Prayer belted out by the crowd).
However, the Solar Bears are the stuff of nightmares as they score a fourth goal that sends fans for the exits. Fittingly, Maroon 5’s Misery blares through the arena speakers just moments before an all-out brawl breaks out. Frustration from the Glads is nearly palpable as three players head to the penalty box.
The Solar Bears close the door with a fifth goal and extend their winning streak to four games. Atlanta, on the other hand, will have to do some soul-searching and quickly regroup as they nurse their proverbial (and probably literal) wounds as they drop another game.
A hot South Carolina Stingrays team awaits the Gladiators on December 27.
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