Midweek meetup and rematch: the Atlanta Gladiators face off against the Orlando Solar Bears for another overtime thriller

Preview: Orlando Solar Bears (34-22-10-0/78 points/4th place in the ECHL South) vs Atlanta Gladiators (26-30-6-2/60 points/6th place in the ECHL South)

Tonight's matchup (April 2, 2025 at 7pm EST at the Gas South District) is a rematch between ECHL Southern division rivals.

The Orlando Solar Bears come into tonight's game having clinched a playoff spot, as they currently hold the 4th slot per the division (the top 4 teams in each division make the playoffs as 16 teams compete in the postseason for the Kelly Cup) and have an outside chance for the 3rd place slot (as they are 8 points behind with 6 games to play). While the Atlanta Gladiators are eliminated from the playoffs, they have an opportunity to finish the season at .500 (they have 8 games left in the season and 3 left at home including tonight's game) and get a little payback from their matchup last Wednesday's overtime loss (click HERE for the recap).

The Solar Bears (averaging 2.8 goals per game) look to leading scorers Aaron Luchuk (22 goals/34 assists/56 points) and Spencer Kersten (24 goals/28 assists/52 points) to reprise their roles and have a repeat performance from last Wednesday's overtime win. John Gillies (4-8-2-0/3.66 goals allowed average/.873 save percentage) leads the defense (allowing 2.8 goals per game). The Gladiators counter with Cody Sylvester (23 goals/21 assists/44 points) and Derek Topatigh (11 goals/30 assists/41 points) to lead the offensive charge (averaging 2.7 goals per game) and between the pipes, Drew DeRidder (10-15-1-1/3 shutouts/2.86 goals allowed average/.908 save percentage) looks to lead the defense (allowing 3.4 goals per game).

Recap:

After a scoreless 1st period, the Solar Bears snap the scoring drought at the 6:11 mark of the 2nd period. Carson Focht's 1st goal of the season (assisted by Jack Adams and Ben Carroll) gives them a 1-0 lead. Nearly 3 minutes later, Anthony Bardaro gives them a 2-0 lead on his 17th goal of the season (unassisted at the 8:50 mark of the 2nd period).

The Gladiators' Alexander Campbell scores on an unassisted goal (his 3rd of the season at the 9:48 mark) to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The 3rd period is reminiscent of the 1st given the defensive focus of both teams. Despite multiple fracases on the ice and both teams with power play opportunities, neither team is able to have a breakthrough until 2.5 seconds left in the 3rd period (19:58) as Ryan Francis' 12th goal of the season ties the game at 2 and sends it to overtime (assisted by Jackson Pierson and Cody Sylvester).

At the 3:53 mark of overtime, Orlando reprises last Wednesday's game as Aaron Luchick's 23rd goal of the season (unassisted on the power play) closes out the game, earning the Solar Bears a 3-2 win.

Atlanta outshoots Orlando 40-23, but Orlando is more effective on the power play (1/3 compared to 0/3 for Atlanta). Drew DeRidder turns away 20 of 23 shots for Atlanta, but Jon Gillies (38 saves on 40 shots) is the difference for Orlando.

Notes: All video and photos are recorded by asnortonccs; make sure to subscribe to the season playlist for 2024-25 (click HERE). The Glads' last 2 home games of the season are April 4th (7:30pm against the Orlando Solar Bears) and April 6th for Fan Appreciation Day (3pm against the Jacksonville Ice Men).