EVANSVILLE, I.N. – Rylan Galiardi scored twice, and Coyotes prospect Mike Lee stopped all 18 shots faced for his first pro shutout, as the Gwinnett Gladiators dominated the Evansville IceMen 3-0 Wednesday night at the Ford Center.
The Gladiators (2-2-1-0) ran Evansville (0-3-0-1) ragged in the opening period, outshooting the IceMen 12-5 and picking up the lone goal of the stanza. Forward Doug Jones took advantage of a giveaway in the Evansville zone, skating the puck out to the far dot and drawing goaltender Rob Madore out of the net. Jones then put a pass right on the stick of Christian Ouellet all alone in the slot for his first goal as a Gladiator at 6:20 of the first.
Gwinnett added to its lead in the second. Tyler Murovich found Galiardi alone at the near post with a pass from the far circle for a one-timer on the powerplay at 11:08. Sean Duddy also had an assist, as the Gladiators carried a 2-0 lead into the third.
Gwinnett erased any Evansville hope for a comeback early in the third. Galiardi potted his second of the night off a rebound in the slot just 3:18 in from Ryan Donald and Tony Lucia to cap the scoring. The Gladiators finished 1-for-4 on the man advantage, while holding Evansville to an 0-for-5 night.
Gwinnett is next in action at 8 p.m. Friday, as they face the Fort Wayne Komets for the first time in Fort Wayne.
