( Above Photo Credit:  atlantagladiators .com )

By: Mark Allred                   Follow Me On Twitter @BlackAndGold277

The East Coast Hockey Leagues Atlanta Gladiators beat the South Carolina Stingrays last night in overtime by the score of 3-2 giving them their sixth win in eleven games this season and currently on a 6-0-0-1 winning streak as they climb the South Division standings. Also streaking is Boston Bruins 2015 third-round selection Dan Vladar who’s off to his best start in his second year of professional hockey.

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In his 2016-17 rookie season, the 6′-5″ 196-pound Czech Republic native posted a 5-9-1-1 record in 18 appearances but this year is off to a good start going 3-1-1 and with a 29 of 31 shot performance in the mentioned 3-2 overtime win last night, earned his first pro three-game winning streak. Vladar took a loss in his first start of the 2017-18 season giving up three goals and although he got the win in his second appearance, giving up five goals to Jacksonville and eight in his first two games was a bit concerning regardless of talent level. His last two games that I’ve seen have been by far his best and seem to be getting into a groove with 1.98 goals against average, and .941 save percentage giving up half the goals from his first two contests.

Here are the video highlights from last night’s Atlanta Gladiators victory:

As injuries and demotions have been an issue the last two seasons, Vladar has played a key role in the developmental levels as he’s traveled up and down the east coast from Atlanta, Georgia to the American Hockey League with the Providence Bruins in the State of Rhode Island. When recalled to the Baby B’s the agile goaltender has shown great promise posting a record of 4-0-1 last season with a 2.62 GAA and .921 save% to a 1-1 record this season and 1.46 GAA and .949 save%. This is definite proof while playing with a better-structured defense at the AHL level he’ll have a good career as soon as he’s a permanent member of the Bruins top minor-pro tandem in Providence in the near future.

Atlanta is back in action tonight with another game at the North Charleston Coliseum against the South division’s third-place Stingrays who the Gladiators trail by only two points and could tie with a regulation win when the puck drops at 7:05. With Bruins prospect Vladar getting the start in last night’s win, look for Glads netminder Matt Ginn to get the nod in goal as the Atlanta team looks to remain perfect through the current winning streak.

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