Part "Deaux": with a 5-1 win, the Florida Everblades earn a split with the Atlanta Gladiators in their "back-to-back" series
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Preview: Florida Everblades (37-12-6-2/82 points/1st place in the ECHL South) vs Atlanta Gladiators (36-16-2-1/75 points/tied for 2nd in the ECHL South)
Tonight's game (March 12, 2026 at 7:10pm EST at the Gas South District) is part "deaux" as the Florida Everblades and Atlanta Gladiators run it back after yesterday's 4-1 win by the Glads (click HERE for our article).
Despite the loss, Florida has won 9 of their last 10 games and have a 7 point lead for the top spot in the division. They'll look to earn a split in tonight's game, as they are counting on Anthony Romano (20 goals/30 assists/50 points/+20 rating) and Craig Needham (20 goals/15 assists/35 points/+13 rating) to have an improved scoring output (they are currently averaging 3.21 goals per game) as they only score one time yesterday. Defensively, Cam Johnson returns "between the pipes" at goaltender (22-8-5-2/3 shutouts/1.88 goals allowed average/.920 save percentage) looking to even the 2-game series (as the Everblades are allowing an ECHL best 2.05 goals per game despite allowing 4 goals in their previous game).
On the other hand, Atlanta is in a mathematical tie for 2nd place in the division, but the South Carolina Stingrays own the tiebreaker. A win tonight gives the Glads sole possession of 2nd place in the division along with getting closer to the top spot in the division. Likewise, with potential playoff berths in play, finishing in the top-2 places ensures home-ice advantage for at least the 1st round of the playoffs.
T.J. Semptimphelter draws the start in goal (17-7-1-1/1 shutout/2.14 goals allowed average/.922 save percentage) as Atlanta looks to build on yesterday's solid defensive performance (they are allowing 2.44 goals per game, good for 3rd in the ECHL). Alex Young (23 goals/27 assists/50 points/+10 rating) and Chad Nychuk (7 goals/40 assists/47 points/+23 rating) anchor the offense as they'll focus on providing a sound output to pressure the Florida defense (they are now scoring 3.00 goals per game).
As is the case during the "crunch time" of the regular season, there's more at stake with every game, and it has added meaning when the games are in the division.
Recap: Florida's 2nd period effort allows them to pull away from the Glads and earn a split of the 2-game series.
Unlike yesterday's game, Florida wastes little time in getting on the scoreboard. Sam Strange scores his 9th goal of the season (assisted by Issac Nurse) inside of 30 seconds into the 1st period (0:28 in the 1st period).
At the 4:52 mark of the 2nd period, Tarun Fizer scores his 17th goal of the season (unassisted) to give the Everblades a 2-0 lead. A little more than 4 minutes later, Issac Nurse would give Florida a 3-0 advantage at the 9:31 mark of the 2nd period (scoring his 6th goal of the year/assisted by Sam Strange and Tarun Fizer).
At the 12:01 mark of the 2nd period, a collision at the Gladiators' goal results into a scrum, as even goalie T.J. Semptimphelter gets into the mix. As a result, he's issued a roughing penalty (2 minute minor penalty) while Florida's Sean Allen (2 minute minor for roughing) and Issac Nurse (2 minute minor for interference on the goalkeeper). This creates a power play opportunity for the Glads, but they are unable to score during the time with the extra man advantage.
At the 5:59 mark of the 3rd period, both teams have another "meetup" near the Atlanta goal. As a result, the Glads' Dylan Carabia (2 minutes for roughing/minor penalty) and the Everblades' Hudson Elynuik (a 4 minute double-minor for roughing) are penalized, which sets up Atlanta for another power play opportunity. This time, they cash in at the 7:09 mark of the 3rd period, as Ryan Francis' goal (his 6th of the season/assisted by Nolan Orzeck and Jack O'Brien) gets the team on the scoreboard (making it a 3-1 game).
At the 17:47 mark of the 3rd period, Atlanta briefly pulls their goaltender for an extra skater and generate additional scoring opportunities. They would do so again at the 18:30 mark, but the Everblades would make it a 4-1 game thanks to an empty net goal by Jordan Sambrook (19:13 in the 3rd period/unassisted).
Florida would close out the game with a goal from Reid Duke at the 19:44 mark of the 3rd period (as he scores his 14th of the year/assisted by Jesse Lansdell) to secure the win and earn a split of the 2-game (back-to-back) series.
Post-game: The 2nd period separation is a difference-maker in the Florida win as the teams split the 2-game series.
Despite the early 1st period goal, the game is played evenly between the 2 teams.
The 2nd period is a difference-maker. While the shots on goal are fairly even (33-29 in favor of Florida), the Everblades have a 14-6 advantage in the 2nd period. Even though Atlanta outperforms them on the power play (1 for 4 for Atlanta while 0 for 3 for the Everblades), Florida's efforts, including defensively (as Cam Johnson makes 28 saves on 29 shots) provide the difference in this game.
As Atlanta prepares for its upcoming games on the homestand, Head Coach Matt Ginn addresses the media; the team will look to address a few areas, including the not as strong play in the 2nd period which provides the difference in outcomes compared to yesterday's game (you may watch his full remarks below):
Notes: You may watch additional game snapshots and interviews on our 2025-26 playlist (click HERE to visit/subscribe) along with visiting our site for season coverage (click HERE).
Atlanta's 4-game homestand continues on March 15th (3:10pm EST at the Gas South District) against the South Carolina Stingrays (the team they are immediately competing with for 2nd place in the ECHL South and home-ice for the 1st round of the playoffs) and another division foe, the Jacksonville Ice Men, on March 18th (7:10pm EST at the Gas South District) for the team's 3rd College Night theme event of the year.
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