ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Brown, Gladiators Hold Off Checkers 2-1

Published on February 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


David Brown came within 6.9 seconds of recording his first professional shutout, and Chad Denny and Tim Miller scored first period goals, and the Gwinnett Gladiators held off the Charlotte Checkers for a 2-1 South Division victory, snapping Charlotte's four-game win streak. The Gladiators went up by two goals early before buckling down defensively in the final two periods to claim their first win in three games and an important two points in the standings.

Denny wasted no time giving the Gladiators a 1-0 lead for the second night in a row. Collecting a turnover behind the Checkers' net, he stepped in front and slid a backhander under Charlotte goaltender Ryan Munce just 1:31 into the contest for an unassisted goal and an early 1-0 lead.

Miller then scored the Gladiators' first power play goal in four games after Charlotte's Michel Leveille went off for interference at 12:52 of the period. Working deep, Phil Youngclaus drew a crowd just outside of the crease then fed a wide open Miller in the slot, who one-timed a shot into the back of the net.

The Gladiators had just four shots in the first compared to the Checkers' eight.

Charlotte dominated the play in the second period, but Gwinnett goaltender David Brown continued his stellar play with 16 more saves to keep the Checkers off the board, as Charlotte had three power plays and half of another at the end of the period. Gwinnett mustered just five shots in the frame.

The Gladiators played a defensive third period, keeping the Checkers at bay for just short of a full 20 minutes. With Charlotte's net empty, Daniel Tkaczuk lifted a rebound shot over a pad-stacking Brown to deny his shutout with just 6.9 seconds remaining on the clock, cutting the Gladiators' lead to 2-1. The Gladiators held on for the final ticks of the game to claim an important South Division victory.

Brown finished with 35 total saves, while Munce made just 13, as the Gladiators had a season-low 15 shots on goal.

Despite being ranked 20 out of 20 in the league on the penalty kill at home, the Gladiators killed off all five of the Checkers' man-advantage opportunities, while capitalizing on their first power of the play to finish 1-for4.

Gwinnett improves to 24-21-3-2 on the season, while Charlotte dropped their first regulation game in seven contests and drop to 28-16-3-3

The Gladiators wrap up their Pink in the Rink weekend with their third home game in three days Sunday afternoon with a match up against South Division rival Florida Everblades.

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ECHL Stories from February 13, 2010


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