Gwinnett Gladiators post Comeback, Beat Sea Wolves 3-2

The Gwinnett Gladiators knocked off the Mississippi Sea Wolves 3-2 on a late goal by Jeff Mason on Sunday night at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Gwinnett improves to 11-9-4 on the season and moves back into sole possession of fourth place in the ECHL's South Division as Charlotte lost in regulation on Sunday afternoon as well.

Mason notched the game winner with just three minutes left in the third period as he slid across the blue line and fluttered the puck to the front of the net where it eluded Mississippi netminder Riku Helenius for the goal. Brandon Kalenicki had an assist on the goal as he rolled the puck back to Mason at the point to set up the tally.

For the second consecutive game, Mississippi jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on the Gladiators. Just 1:11 into the first period Mathieu Melanson crashed the Gladiators net and jammed the puck past Gwinnett goaltender Josh Johnson for the goal. Kyle McAllister and Travis Lisabeth notched the assists on the marker for the Sea Wolves.

Mississippi pushed their lead to 2-0 at 5:52 of the first period. Jeremy Hall slipped past the Gladiators defensemen and walked down the right wing wall before ripping a snapshot that eluded Johnson for the goal. Jason Tejchma and Ryan Menei hooked up to set up Hall on the goal for Mississippi.

Gwinnett answered with a pair of goals in the second period to send the game tied 2-2 into the third. Dan Sullivan got the Gladiators first goal of the game when he squeezed the puck through the legs of Helenius to cut the Mississippi lead back to a goal. Sullivan took a rink wide pass from Bruce Graham and slipped down the right wing before beating Helenius at 4:34 of the second period.

Kaleniecki's sixth goal of the season on a 5-on-3 power play tied the contest at two. Graham added his second assist of the game as he was able to find Kalenickei hanging out all alone on the far post to set up the goal. Jordan Fox also had an assist on the power power play goal for Gwinnett at 13:24 of the second period. Kaleniecki's marker set the stage for Mason's game winner late in the third period for Gwinnett.

Josh Joshnson finshed with 16 saves for the Gladiators in win. Gwinnett went 1-for-6 on the power play while holding the Sea Wolves off the board on six chances onthe man advantage in the contest.

The Gladiators return to action on Tuesday, December 16th as they host the Elmira Jackals at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 p.m.
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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