Joe Gatenby scores game-winner in pro hockey debut
KAMLOOPS — Days after the Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs, defenseman Joe Gatenby was packing his bags for Atlanta to play for the Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League. But he could’ve never imagined the pro hockey debut he experienced Thursday night.
Gatenby scored a goal and was a plus-two in Atlanta’s 6-2 win over Cincinnati. The goal, which gave the Gladiators their first lead of the game 3:40 into the second period, happened to be the game-winner. Gatenby got the puck at the point and ripped it through traffic to put it in the back of the net.
“It was exciting. The guys were really happy for me, which was nice. The first pro game’s an experience you’ll remember for a long time. It was just a really cool moment,” said Gatenby.
The 20-year-old defenseman noted it;’s been a whirlwind last week from the time his WHL career ended on Saturday in Prince George to exit meetings at the Sandman Centre on Sunday, then the trip down south.