School Day downer: The Atlanta Gladiators drop a 4-3 decision in overtime to the Orlando Solar Bears in a critical late-season game between division rivals on their playoff push

Preview: Orlando Solar Bears (33-22-10-0/75 points/4th place in the ECHL Southern Division) vs the Atlanta Gladiators (26-28-5-2/59 points/5th place in the ECHL Southern Division)

Coming into today's 2nd School Day game of the season (March 26, 2025 at 10:30am EST at the Gas South District in Duluth, GA, the division rivals come in hoping for a win and getting closer to the elusive 4th playoff berth in the Southern Division (the top-4 teams in each division make the Kelly Cup Playoffs as there are 4 divisions in the league).

The Orlando Solar Bears come in with a 16-point lead for the final playoff spot in the division (the top 4 teams in each division make the playoffs). Led on offense by Aaron Luchuk (22 goals/32 assists/54 points) and Spencer Kersten (24 goals/28 assists/52 points) which averages 2.8 goals per game, they'll look to make headway against Atlanta goalie Ethan Haider (16-12-0-1 with 3 shutouts/3.14 goals allowed average/.894 save percentage) and a defense allowing 3.3 goals per game.

The Gladiators counter with leading scorers Cody Sylvester (22 goals/18 assists/40 points) and Derek Topatigh (9 goals/29 assists/38 points) as the team is scoring 2.6 goals per game. Orlando goalie Luke Pavicich is making his first start of the season (and first ECHL game), as he leads the team defense (allowing 2.8 goals per game) and their effort to get a road win.

Game recap: The Solar Bears win in overtime in a close matchup between division rivals

The Solar Bears would take an early 1-0 lead (1st period/4:19) as Mark Auk's 2nd goal of the season (assisted by Aaron Luchuk and Brayden Low) gives Orlando an early advantage.

The Gladiators would go on a 2-goal scoring run started by Derek Topatigh as he scores his 10th goal of the season (1st period/13:09) to tie the game (assisted by Jeremey Hanzel and Jackson Pierson). Once the 2nd period is underway, the Glads would take their first lead of the game (2-1) at the 5:02 mark on Cody Sylvester's 22nd goal of the season (assisted by Derek Topatigh and Eric Neiley) on the power play.

Orlando would go on a 2-goal scoring run to close out the 2nd period. Ara Nazarian (8th of the season at the 15:08 mark, assisted by Chris Harpur) would get the game tied at 2 and at the 18:57 mark of the period, Kelly Bent's unassisted goal (his 3rd of the season) gives the Solar Bears a 3-2 lead.

The Glads tie the game (3-3) in the 3rd period as Jackson Pierson scores his 7th goal of the season at the 13:01 mark (assists by Cody Sylvester and Derek Topatigh), the team's 2nd power play goal of the game.

Despite some chippy play between the division rivals and Orlando getting a late power play opportunity, neither team can pull away from the other during regulation, so the game continues to overtime. Shortly after the Glads come up with a stop on the power play, the Solar Bears come up with the game-winner and end the game with a 4-3 overtime win. Ara Nazarian's 2nd goal of the game (9th of the season at the 2:00 mark in overtime assisted by Aaron Luchuk and Mark Auk).

While the shots on goal are even (Orlando has a 29-28 edge) and Atlanta has the edge on the power play (2 for 4 compared to Orlando going 0 for 4), the Solar Bears come away with the win. The Glads' Eric Haider saves 25 of 29 shots while the Solar Bears' Luke Pavicich turns away 25 of 28 shots.

For post-game, Atlanta forward Jackson Pierson speaks with us and shares his insight on the game. With their next 2 games a home-and-home with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, it'll be a tough stretch of division play in their late season pursuit of a playoff spot.

Notes: The Glads' next home game is March 29th (7pm) as it's the second game of a home-and-home against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (another division rival). You may watch the 2024-25 season playlist by clicking HERE.