Gladiators Sweep Baymen, Punch Ticket to Keystone Semi-Pro Final

The Marple SK Labeda Gladiators are headed to the Keystone Semi-Pro Division Final after a decisive two-game sweep of the Chesapeake Baymen, winning 4–1 in Game 1 and 7–1 in Game 2 at Marple Sports Arena.

Game 1 — Gladiators 4, Baymen 1

Chesapeake struck first when Reese Tibbs (#14) finished an even-strength chance at 3:44 of the opening period, but Marple answered five minutes later as Nate Nunley (#17) tied it at 8:51 off feeds from Justin Paton (#10) and Mike Sabol (#21).

From there, the Gladiators took control in the second. Dave Cutler (#77) broke the tie at 11:33 (assist Brian Beatson #92), added another at 6:52, and Marple iced it late with an empty-netter from Jaylend Powell (#9) with ten seconds left. Goaltender Andrew Sharkus (#30) anchored the win with 18 saves on 19 shots.

Game 2 — Gladiators 7, Baymen 1

Game 2 was all Marple. The Gladiators poured in three first-period goals—Brian Beatson (#92), Dave Cutler (#77), and Mike Sabol (#21) all scored in a span of just over eight minutes—then exploded for four more in the second period to pull away.

Michael Strofe (#97) led the charge with two goals, while Dan Dolan (#11) added two (including a power-play marker at 1:51). The Gladiators finished with a 21–12 edge in shots, and Nikolas Tkacz (#32) earned the win in net with 11 saves.

Cutler’s series (3G, 2A) helped headline a balanced Gladiators attack, while Chesapeake’s lone offense again came from Tibbs (#14), who scored both Baymen goals in the series.

Up Next

With the sweep complete, the Gladiators advance to the Keystone Division Final and will face the winner of the Philadelphia Barons vs. Fusion Blizzard semi-final.