The Atlanta Gladiators entered Game Three of the series against the Jacksonville Icemen with a clear understanding of what needed to change. Through the first two meetings, the chances had been there, the pressure had been consistent, but the results hadn’t followed. Now, with the series shifting back to Gas South Arena, the focus wasn’t on adjustments as much as it was on execution. At this point in the stretch, effort wasn’t the question.
The atmosphere inside Gas South Arena set the tone early. The crowd came in loud, energized, and fully engaged from the opening moments, bringing a level of intensity that felt ready to carry into the game. For Atlanta, the hope was simple. Turn that energy into a strong showing on the ice.
Starting Lineups
Atlanta Gladiators
Goaltender: T.J. Semptimphelter (35)
Defense: Ryan Conroy (8), Brendan Less (2)
Forwards: Ryley Appelt (23), Joe Mack (4), Ethan Scardina (37)
Jacksonville Icemen
Goaltender: Cameron Rowe (31)
Defense: Jed Pietila (36), Taos Jordan (24)
Forwards: Craig Martin (29), Will Hillman (49), Tyler Kopff (21)
First Period
Joe Mack took the opening faceoff for Atlanta against Will Hillman, as both teams got Game 3 underway at Gas South Arena. Jacksonville generated the first look of the game when Jaden Condotta got a shot through traffic off a screen, but T.J. Semptimphelter tracked it well and made the stop to keep it scoreless early.
Atlanta answered with a chance of its own as Joey Cipollone fired a shot that nearly took a favorable bounce, but the puck carried through and settled behind the net before it could turn into a scoring opportunity. Late in the sequence, a delayed penalty was called on Mickey Burns for tripping, sending Jacksonville to the power play as play stopped.
On the penalty kill, the Gladiators won the opening faceoff, and Alex Young quickly cleared the puck down the ice to relieve pressure.
Jacksonville generated a dangerous look as Adam McMaster sent a shot toward the net that was nearly redirected, but T.J. Semptimphelter stayed with it and steered the puck out of danger to keep the game scoreless.
Atlanta completed the penalty kill successfully, blocking a late Jacksonville shot and clearing the zone to return to even strength.
Back at five-on-five, Atlanta created one of its best sequences of the period. Ryan Conroy sent a shot from the point toward the net, but the rebound couldn’t be redirected in, with Isak Walther just missing the finish. Moments later, Jack O’Brien generated another strong chance, putting a shot on goal that forced a stop from Cameron Rowe.
The play didn’t settle after the whistle. Despite Rowe not having full control of the puck, players came together behind the net, and tensions escalated quickly into a brief skirmish, with fisticuffs breaking out as both sides pushed back.
Atlanta continued to press, as Cody Sylvester fed Joey Cipollone with a backhand pass, springing him on a strong rush toward the net. Cipollone nearly turned it into a scoring chance, but the opportunity slipped away before he could get a clean finish.
Mid-Period
Mike McNamee carried the puck in from the right side, creating space as the play developed. The puck worked over to Isak Walther, whose stick was tipped up and forced the puck out of play by a Jacksonville defender, preventing another scoring opportunity.
Atlanta then found its best chance of the period as Mickey Burns broke free up the center of the ice on a breakaway. Burns went in one-on-one and got a shot off, but Cameron Rowe came up with the stop to deny the opportunity and keep the game scoreless.
First Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 9 | Jacksonville 5
Saves: T.J. Semptimphelter 5 | Cameron Rowe 9
Penalty Minutes: Atlanta 2 | Jacksonville 2
Second Period
The second period got underway at Gas South Arena with the game still scoreless, as both teams looked to build off a tightly contested opening frame.
Atlanta nearly created an early opportunity on a developing 3-on-2 rush, but the play was whistled dead for offside, stopping the momentum before it could turn into a scoring chance.
Jacksonville followed with a look of its own as Adam McMaster got a shot on net, but T.J. Semptimphelter handled it cleanly and made the glove save.
Atlanta then broke through on the rush. Alex Young carried the puck in and initially looked to connect with Joey Cipollone, but the pass didn’t connect cleanly. Staying with the play, Young held onto possession and waited for an opening before finding Cody Sylvester, who buried the chance five-hole to give Atlanta the lead.
Goal (2nd): Atlanta — Cody Sylvester (17)
Assists: Alex Young
Jacksonville tried to respond quickly, but Atlanta held firm defensively. Carson Denomie lost his stick during the sequence but recovered in time, as the Icemen worked a shot toward the net that was ultimately turned aside by T.J. Semptimphelter to keep the lead intact.
Atlanta continued to generate looks in the offensive zone, with Isak Walther putting a shot on net off the wall, but it was handled and saved by the Jacksonville goaltender.
Walther went down hard following the play, appearing to take a stick up high, but no penalty was called. Moments earlier, Cam Gaudette had been assessed a hooking minor, sending Atlanta to the penalty kill as play shifted the other way.
On the penalty kill, Mickey Burns stayed tight to his man, limiting space as the play developed. Jacksonville briefly gained possession, but Jed Pietila lost control of the puck. Joey Cipollone stepped in to help clear the zone to relieve pressure. Atlanta successfully killed off the penalty and returned to full strength.
Moments later, Atlanta was called again for hooking. Jacksonville went back to the power play as Evan Orr headed to the penalty box, giving the Icemen another opportunity to even the game. On the penalty kill, Burns disrupted the play, poking the puck away and finishing the sequence with a shove on his man for good measure as Atlanta continued to battle defensively. Ethan Scardina followed with a strong backcheck, helping to break up the rush and keep Jacksonville from setting up cleanly.
Atlanta returned to full strength as Orr stepped back onto the ice, but Jacksonville kept the pressure on, hemming the Gladiators in their own zone along the boards.
The momentum shifted again when Ryan Francis was high-sticked, drawing a penalty on Jacques Bouquot and sending Atlanta to the power play. On the advantage, Atlanta moved the puck well. Alex Young looked to connect with Isak Walther, but the pass didn’t connect cleanly. Moments later, Chad Nychuk fed Jack O’Brien, who stepped into a one-timer that sailed just over the net. Just narrowly missing a chance to extend the lead.
Jacksonville returned to full strength with under nine minutes remaining in the period as play continued at even strength. The Icemen pushed back with a strong look as Daniel Panetta got a shot through, but T.J. Semptimphelter came up with a big stop, blocking it aside to keep Atlanta in front.
On the advantage, Atlanta moved the puck well. Alex Young looked to connect with Isak Walther, but the pass didn’t connect cleanly. Moments later, Chad Nychuk fed Jack O’Brien, who stepped into a one-timer that sailed just over the net, narrowly missing a chance to extend the lead.
Atlanta returned to full strength with under nine minutes remaining in the period as play continued at even strength.
Jacksonville pushed back with a strong look as Daniel Panetta got a shot through, but T.J. Semptimphelter came up with a big stop, blocking it aside to keep Atlanta in front.
Atlanta then extended its lead as Jack O’Brien stepped into a shot from the point and snapped it past Rowe, giving the Gladiators a two-goal advantage.
Goal (2nd | 15:04): Atlanta — Jack O’Brien (22)
Assists: Brendan Less
Jacksonville was then assessed a slashing penalty on Daniel Panetta, sending Atlanta back to the power play with a chance to build on its lead.
Atlanta nearly capitalized again as Cody Sylvester fed Jack O’Brien, who got another look on net, but the Icemen were able to clear the zone before he could convert.
With just over two minutes remaining in the period, Alex Young generated another strong chance. However, Cameron Rowe tracked it cleanly and made the glove save to keep it a two-goal game.
Atlanta continued to press late in the period with one of its best sequences. Mickey Burns fired a shot on net, and the rebound created a scramble in front. Rowe ultimately covered the puck to end the play. He stopped a strong opportunity that developed off sustained pressure, with Mike McNamee right in the mix as the chance nearly opened up.
With just over a minute remaining, the teams returned to even strength as the period wound down. By the end of the frame, the Gladiators had not only taken control of the scoreboard. Easily having dictated the pace of play. With a 2–0 lead heading into the third, Atlanta put itself in position to close things out. All backed by timely scoring, a strong penalty kill, and steady goaltending from T.J. Semptimphelter.
Second Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 12 | Jacksonville 12
Saves: T.J. Semptimphelter 12 | Cameron Rowe 10
Penalty Minutes: Atlanta 4 | Jacksonville 4
Third Period
The third period got underway with Atlanta holding a 2–0 lead. They looked to close out a strong performance after taking control in the middle frame. Jacksonville, meanwhile, entered the final twenty minutes searching for a push to get back into the game.
Atlanta came out with pressure early, generating a 2-on-1 opportunity as Ryan Conroy led the rush. He got a shot off, but Cameron Rowe scrambled across to make the save and keep Jacksonville within two.
Jacksonville answered with a long shot from the point, attempting to lob it toward the net, but T.J. Semptimphelter kicked it out with ease to keep the Icemen from generating a rebound.
Atlanta generated another rush, this time a 3-on-2, as Mike McNamee fed Ryley Appelt, but Lordanthony Grissom got his stick up to break up the play and end the chance.
Atlanta continued to apply pressure, with Jack O’Brien getting a shot off that went wide of the net. The Gladiators kept Rowe active early in the period.
Following the sequence, Ryan Conroy was called for holding as Jacksonville looked to transition the other way. The call drew a reaction from the crowd, who voiced their displeasure as the Gladiators headed to the penalty kill.
On the penalty kill, Atlanta got a long clear down the ice, allowing for a line change as the Icemen regrouped and reset to re-enter the zone.
Jacksonville generated a chance as Lincoln Griffin got a shot on net, but T.J. Semptimphelter came up with the stop. Atlanta returned to full strength shortly after.
On the next sequence, Ethan Scardina had two opportunities in close, but neither attempt found the back of the net as the Gladiators looked to extend their lead. Atlanta continued to create chances, with Isak Walther looking to connect with Jack O’Brien. However, the passing lane wasn’t there, and the chance broke down before it could develop.
Moments later, Joey Cipollone had a chance in tight but was unable to tuck it in, as Atlanta continued to generate pressure without adding to the lead.
Jacksonville finally broke through, ending the shutout on a tough bounce. The puck deflected off Evan Orr in front and slipped past T.J. Semptimphelter to cut into the lead.
Goal (3rd | 8:33): Jacksonville — Will Hillman (13)
Atlanta looked to answer quickly, as Ryan Francis fed Carson Denomie. Denomie’s shot went wide off the far side, just missing a chance to restore the two-goal lead.
Jacksonville followed with a shot of its own from Daniel Panetta that was gloved cleanly by T.J. Semptimphelter. After the whistle, tensions flared as an Icemen player lost his helmet and drifted too close to the crease, prompting Ryley Appelt to step in and make it clear it was time to back off.
Mid-Period
The pace of the game began to tighten as Jacksonville pushed to build off its goal, while Atlanta looked to settle things down and protect its lead.
Jacksonville followed with a shot from Daniel Panetta that was gloved cleanly by T.J. Semptimphelter. After the whistle, tensions flared as an Icemen player lost his helmet and drifted too close to the crease, prompting Ryley Appelt to step in and make it clear it was time to back off.
Moments later, Atlanta was called for slashing, sending the Gladiators back to the penalty kill as Evan Orr headed to the box, giving Jacksonville another opportunity to even the game.
On the penalty kill, T.J. Semptimphelter came up with a huge stop, stretching out to deny a shot from David Jankowski and using strong pad work to keep the puck out.
As the penalty neared its end, the play turned chaotic. Cameron Rowe came out of his net to play the puck as Atlanta pressured behind the goal line, with Carson Denomie right there on the forecheck as the sequence broke down in front.
Atlanta returned to full strength as Orr stepped back onto the ice, with the game still tight heading into the later stages of the period.
Atlanta then earned a power play as Isak Walther was taken down on a hit, losing his balance while the play remained active. Once Atlanta touched up the puck, the whistle came for tripping, sending the Gladiators to the man advantage.
After the whistle, tensions continued to rise, and Lordanthony Grissom headed to the penalty box as the sequence wrapped up. On the power play, Chad Nychuk stepped into a shot from the point, but it sailed high and wide of the net as Atlanta looked to add insurance.
Atlanta continued to press during the advantage. A long shot went wide, but Mickey Burns nearly capitalized on the follow-up chance before being denied. Moments later, Joey Cipollone also had a look in tight, but he was turned aside as well.
The Gladiators returned to full strength shortly after, unable to convert but maintaining pressure as the clock continued to wind down.
With under two minutes remaining, Atlanta controlled play in the offensive zone, preventing Cameron Rowe from leaving the net as Jacksonville struggled to generate a chance to pull him for the extra attacker.
Atlanta kept the puck pinned along the boards, controlling possession and running valuable time off the clock. As the seconds ticked down, Jacksonville finally created space, and with one minute remaining, Rowe exited the net for the extra attacker.
Jacksonville pushed late, and after a glove save from T.J. Semptimphelter with 21.8 seconds remaining, the Icemen had one final chance. With just two seconds left, Will Hillman got a shot off, but Semptimphelter covered it up to stop play.
The whistle sparked chaos inside Gas South Arena, as players came together in the final seconds, but Atlanta held firm.
From there, the Gladiators closed it out, securing a 2–1 win on home ice.
Third Period Stats
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 7 | Jacksonville 12
Saves: T.J. Semptimphelter 11 | Cameron Rowe 7
Penalty Minutes: Atlanta 4 | Jacksonville 2
Final Score
Atlanta Gladiators 2, Jacksonville Icemen 1
Final Stats
Shots on Goal: Atlanta 29 | Jacksonville 29
Power Play: Atlanta 0-for-4 | Jacksonville 0-for-5
Penalty Minutes: Atlanta 10 | Jacksonville 8
Goaltender Summary
T.J. Semptimphelter (ATL): 28 saves on 29 shots
Cameron Rowe (JAX): 27 saves on 29 shots
Scoring Summary
Second Period
Goal: Atlanta — Cody Sylvester (17) | 2:13
Assists: Alex Young
Goal: Atlanta — Jack O’Brien (22) | 15:04
Assist: Brendan Less
Third Period
Goal: Jacksonville — Will Hillman (13) | 8:33
Three Stars of the Game
🥇 Jack O’Brien (ATL) — one goal, game-winning goal
🥈 T.J. Semptimphelter (ATL) — 28 saves on 29 shots
🥉 Cody Sylvester (ATL) — one goal
Game Summary
Atlanta responded the way they needed to.
After dropping back-to-back games to Jacksonville, the Gladiators came out with purpose. Controlling the pace early and capitalizing in the second period with goals from Cody Sylvester and Jack O’Brien. That two-goal stretch proved to be the difference, giving Atlanta just enough cushion to withstand a late push.
Jacksonville made things interesting in the third, cutting the lead in half and applying pressure down the stretch, but T.J. Semptimphelter stood tall when it mattered most. From key penalty kills to late-game saves, including the final stop with seconds remaining, he anchored the win.
Atlanta did what good teams do in March, they found a way to close it out. Two points. Statement response. And a much-needed reset at Gas South Arena.
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