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If you’ve ever doubted hockey could be wild in the South, the Atlanta Gladiators just sent you a personal invitation to rethink your life choices.
The first period was basically Atlanta setting the tone like a warning shot. Eleven attempts on goal — ELEVEN — like they were firing audition tapes for Fast & Furious: Zamboni Drift. Utah could barely control possession before getting bounced around like bumper cars. No goals yet, but the tension was thick.
Then the second period hit, and Atlanta said, “Enough foreplay.”
Isak Walther went full video-game mode, lighting the lamp twice — once at 6:22 and again at 11:58 — like he found a cheat code. Assist kings Anthony Firriolo and Chad Nychuk were dishing pucks with precision, running the offense like surgeons in skates.
Utah managed to squeeze in one late goal, but that was just a courtesy laugh before Atlanta slammed the door shut.
Third period? Certified shutdown.
Alex Young buried one at 8:41 off yet another Walther setup — the man was everywhere like Wi-Fi. And then Mickey Burns delivered the nastiest disrespect of the night: a short-handed goal at 12:30. That’s scoring while you’re technically supposed to be defending. Rude. Hilarious. Legendary.
Meanwhile, T.J. Semptimphelter played goalie like he had rent due — rejecting 17 out of 18 shots with zero hesitation.
Final verdict: Atlanta 4, Utah 1.
And the message is loud and clear…
Hockey in Atlanta isn’t polite. It’s aggressive, electric, and addictive.
Still sleeping on the Gladiators? Don’t.
This isn’t “ice chess.” This is southern chaos on skates — and the Glads are just getting started.
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