Adirondack Thunder extend winning streak to five games with 5-2 win over Atlanta Gladiators

Thunder strike early, withstand late push at Gas South Arena

The Adirondack Thunder extended their winning streak to five games on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, defeating the Atlanta Gladiators 5-2 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Adirondack built a 3-0 advantage before Atlanta narrowed the margin in the third period, but two empty-net goals in the final minutes sealed the outcome.

Goaltender Tyler Brennan anchored the win with 36 saves on 38 shots as Atlanta finished with a 38-30 edge in shots on goal. Atlanta starter Ethan Haider stopped 25 of 28 shots during five-on-five play, with Adirondack adding two late goals into an empty net after Atlanta pulled its goaltender.

How the scoring unfolded

• 2:16 of the first period: Tag Bertuzzi opened the scoring on a backhand to put Adirondack ahead 1-0.
• 8:04 of the first: Alex Campbell converted a rebound to make it 2-0.
• 5:24 of the second: Matt Salhany finished a sequence created by a carom off the boards, extending the lead to 3-0.
• 6:30 of the second: Nolan Orzeck scored for Atlanta to cut the deficit to 3-1.
• 4:56 remaining in regulation: Cody Sylvester scored a power-play goal to bring Atlanta within 3-2.
• Final two minutes: Justin Taylor and Patrick Grasso scored empty-net goals to close out a 5-2 final.

Special teams and late-game dynamics

Atlanta went 1-for-3 on the power play and killed all four Adirondack power plays. The game tightened late as Atlanta’s special teams produced a third-period goal that reduced a three-goal deficit to one, shifting the final minutes into a possession-driven sequence that culminated in two empty-netters.

Teddy Bear Toss Night and attendance

The game coincided with Atlanta’s Teddy Bear Toss Night at Gas South Arena. Atlanta’s first goal triggered the on-ice toss, with a reported total of 11,109 stuffed animals collected. The event drew 7,917 fans, adding a notable off-ice dimension to a night defined on the scoreboard by Adirondack’s early scoring and decisive finishing.

Atlanta outshot Adirondack 38-30, but Adirondack’s early conversions and late empty-net execution determined the result.

What it means

The victory strengthened Adirondack’s momentum during a road set in Georgia and underscored an efficiency gap between chance generation and finishing: Atlanta carried play for extended stretches, while Adirondack’s early goals created game state pressure that forced Atlanta into late risk-taking. The teams were scheduled to conclude the series on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.