A triumphant trifecta: the Atlanta Gladiators sweep their 3 and 3 thanks to Louis Boudon's hat trick and outstanding team defense in a 3-1 win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Greenville Swamp Rabbits (11-9-4-0/26 points/tied for 4th place in the ECHL South Division) vs the Atlanta Gladiators (18-6-0-0/36 points/2nd place in the ECHL South Division)

Coming into today's game at the Gas South District (December 21, 2025 at 3:10pm EST), the Atlanta Gladiators are looking to close out their second 3 and 3 of the season (3 games in 3 days) on a winning note.

With a home win on Friday against a division foe, the Jacksonville Icemen (by a 3-2 score), they added a road win against another division rival at Greenville, SC against the Swamp Rabbits (a 2-1 win). Today's game is a rematch, so the Glads have a chance to sweep the back-to-back against Greenville and close out a 3-game sweep sitting in a tie for 1st place (as they are 2 points behind the division leading Florida Everblades).

The Swamp Rabbits, who are tied for 4th in the division, look to avoid the sweep as leading scorer Carter Savoie (7 goals/8 assists/15 points/-2 rating) leads an offense scoring 2.7 goals per game. The Glads' defense is among the best in the league, as they are allowing 2.0 goals a game; T.J. Semptimphelter draws the start in goal (9-3-0-0/1.58 goals allowed average/.941 save percentage/1 shutout) as he and the team defense look to stop the Swamp Rabbits.

Atlanta's offense is scoring slightly more than 3 goals per game (3.1) and with the efforts of Louis Boudon (9 goals/18 assists/27 points/+9 rating) and Isak Walther (13 goals/10 assists/23 points/+13 rating) who are among 4 players with 21 or more points, they'll look to pressure a steady Greenville defense (allowing 2.7 goals per game) as Pierce Charleston (4-2-2-0/2.93 goals allowed average/.896 save percentage) looks to help the Swamp Rabbits avoid the sweep.

Recap: Thanks to Louis Boudon's hat trick, an effective power play, and solid defense, the Glads defeat their I-85 rivals.

After a scoreless 1st period, the Atlanta Gladiators score on the power play at the 6:20 mark of the 2nd period; however, after official review, the call is overturned, keeping the game scoreless.

The gloves would come off around the 9:00 mark as the stout defense by both teams leads to some tense on-ice activity.

Greenville would be called for a penalty and a few short moments into the power play (9:25 in the 2nd period), the Glads would score on the power play and have it stand up, finally taking a 1-0 lead. Louis Boudon's goal (10th of the year with assists from Chad Nychuk and Alex Young) is the team's 9th power play goal in their last 10 games.

Shortly into the 3rd period (2:30 in the 3rd period), Louis Boudon scores again on the power play for his 2nd goal of the game (11th of the season, assisted by Cody Sylvester and Chad Nychuk), giving the Glads a 2-0 lead.

The Glads would extend the lead to 3-0 at the 13:34 mark of the period as Louis Boudon gets a hat trick (his 3rd goal of the game, assisted by Cody Sylvester and T.J. Septimphelter) to give the Glads their largest lead of the game.

Greenville would avoid getting shut out as Josh Atkinson's 3rd goal of the season (at the 19:56 mark of the 3rd period/assisted by Parker Berge and Cam Hausinger) on a late power play advantage closes the game out with a 3-1 win for Atlanta.

Post-game: Timely defense and an expanding offense propel the Glads to a win and keeping the division lead in sight.

Although the Atlanta Gladiators (and the Swamp Rabbits) have 3 games in 3 consecutive days (3 and 3), the Glads' hallmark of solid defense and an expanding offense are key as they earn their 3rd win in a row. Not only do they outshoot their opponents (26-23), but they take advantage on the power play (2 for 7 as Greenville is 1 for 2). The combination of Louis Boudon's offensive presence (3 goals/hat trick) and defensive effort highlighted by T.J. Semptimphelter's play in goal (22 saves on 23 shots) provide the difference.

For post-game, Boudon and head coach Matt Ginn share their insights on the game along with upcoming holiday break as they return to action on December 26th (7pm EST) at Greenville for another game against the Swamp Rabbits (you may watch their responses to our questions below):

In addition to goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter sharing his thoughts on the team defense and overall play, his mother provides some holiday perspective going into the break (you may watch their responses to our questions below):

The team returns to the Gas South District on December 27th (7:10pm EST) to host the Savannah Ghost Pirates for the Frosty Boots & Country Roots theme night presented by Wendy's (and yet another ECHL South Division matchup).

With a successful weekend behind them and the top of the division in sight (they remain 2 points behind the Florida Everblades), the Atlanta Gladiators continue to make positive moves in the division and their larger goals for the season.

Notes: All video and photos are recorded via asnortonccs; you may watch and subscribe to our season playlist for additional team coverage.