Closing out a homestand and closing in on the playoffs: The Atlanta Gladiators continue to make their playoff push
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The ECHL season is a 72-game grind, as the regular season starts in October and concludes in April.
During this time, after 57 games, the Atlanta Gladiators are within sight of one of their goals this season, which is a return to the postseason. Through a combination of one of the league's top defenses and opportune offense, the goal is in sight (however, it's likely not their only goal for the 2025-26 season).
The team has won 2 of the 3 games on their current homestand and remain in the hunt for 2nd place in the highly competitive ECHL South Division. A total of 16 teams make the playoffs; the top 4 teams in each division make the playoffs, and the top 2 (1st and 2nd place teams) earn home-ice advantage in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Coming off a thrilling 4-3 shootout win (click HERE for our article) over the South Carolina Stingrays (who are currently in 2nd place in the ECHL South Division with 79 points), the Gladiators are in 3rd place, but are only 2 points away from catching them for 2nd place in the division (with 77 points). With a few games in hand at the close of the regular season (Atlanta has 15 games remaining while South Carolina has 13 games left and the division leading Florida Everblades, who have 86 points, have 12 games left), the Gladiators have a more than reasonable opportunity to move up in the division standings.
Tomorrow evening's College Night Game (March 18, 2026 starting at 7:10pm EST at the Gas South District) is against another division foe, the Jacksonville Ice Men, as they look to conclude their 4-game homestand with their 3rd win (and 2nd win in a row). Oddly enough, the game starts a 3-game stretch between the teams (and 4 games in 5 days), as they'll play against each other at Jacksonville on March 20, 2026 at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena (7pm EST start) and again at the Gas South District on March 21, 2026 (7:10pm EST start) before turning around to hit the road to play against the Savannah Ghost Pirates on March 22, 2026 (3pm EST at the Enmarket Arena).
Defensively, Atlanta is tied with the Wheeling Nailers for allowing the 4th fewest goals in the league (141 goals allowed as Wheeling has played one fewer game). The team's overall commitment to defense result in them allowing 2.47 goals per game, and the combination of ECHL All-Star TJ Semptimphelter (17-8-1-1 with 1 shutout/2.21 goals allowed average/.920 save percentage) and Ethan Haider (20-9-1-0 with 1 shutout/2.40 goals allowed average/.925 save percentage) in goal keep them highly competitive.
Offensively, the team's offense is averaging nearly 3 goals per game (2.98 goals per game). Their opportunistic offense (including last Sunday's shootout win) has shown up at key times during the season; given the efforts of Alex Young (24 goals/29 assists/53 points/+11 rating), Chad Nychuk (8 goals/40 assists/48 points/+19 rating), and ECHL All-Star Jack O'Brien (21 goals/19 assists/40 points/+8 rating), the team is generating opportunities around the net and applying pressure on opposing defenses.
In looking back, the team is looking ahead far enough to know games at this time of the year take on more of a playoff atmosphere. With points and positioning at stake, players and coaches understand the team's focus, attention to detail, and resiliency can help them reach their goals and so much more (you may watch the full post-game remarks of Jack O'Brien, who scores the game winning goal during the shootout phase, and Head Coach Matt Ginn, after the team's most recent win):
Again, it's that time of the year. And clearly, the Atlanta Gladiators are going for it in their goal of making the playoffs and beyond.
Comments