Gladiators outlast Deuces in Semi-Finals

The defending Semi-Pro champion Gladiators once again found themselves matched up against their division rival Philadelphia Deuces in the semi-final round of the PIHA Finals.  Last year the two teams collided, with the Glads coming out on top after a dominant second period effort.  Once again the two teams found themselves in each others way to get to the best of three championship.  This year the Deuces were the regular season's best team and poised to be a huge speed bump for the Gladiators attempt at a repeat.

The game proved to be a chess match, as Ratcast announcer Dave Gardner coined it early.  Both teams came out very tentative trying not to make a mistake.  It wasn't until Dom Anastasia deposited a second rebound attempt against the Deuces Adrian Orio that broke a scoreless first period tie.  Only one more goal would be scored in the second period, this time off the stick of Joe Crane who cemented the 2-0 win.  This season's League Most Valuable Goaltender Nik Tkacz was the true story of the game, giving the Snipers nothing on the rebound and earned his second shutout of the weekend.

The Gladiators await the winner of the Snipers Legends series to follow.