Gladiators Shut Down Swamp Rabbits

DULUTH, Ga. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits ran into a buzzsaw on Wednesday night on the road. An Atlanta Gladiators team firing on all cylinders utilized a strong power play, and got another shutout effort from goaltender Sean Bonar to blank the Swamp Rabbits 4-0 at the Infinite Energy Arena.

BOXSCOREAtlanta's power play went 3-for-5 in the game, with the first three goals coming on the man advantage.In his first game as a Gladiator, Daniel Leavens picked up the opening tally on a rebound opportunity from a point shot to give Atlanta the 1-0 lead late in the first period. Derek Nesbitt and Joel Messner picked up the assists.Nesbitt and Nolan LaPorte both tallied on the power play in back-to-back periods. Nesbitt converted on a 2-on-1 break in which the pass across deflected into the goal to double the lead, and LaPorte uncorked a one-timer from the left point on a clean faceoff win.LaPorte sealed the game up with an empty net goal with just seconds left in regulation.Bonar has allowed just one goal in his last three starts against the Swamp Rabbits, and made 20 saves in his latest shutout effort.The Swamp Rabbits were buoyed by outstanding goaltending from Garrett Bartus, whose numerous key saves kept the team in the game. However, it was the Gladiators' special teams that were just too much for the Swamp Rabbits to overcome. He made 39 saves on 42 shots fired his way.The Swamp Rabbits return home to host the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, go to SwampRabbits.com.

Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages! Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2018–19 ticket plans, special group rates and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!