ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Game Preview: Gladiators Look for Third Win in a Row Tonight

November 15, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


A night after the Gwinnett Gladiators (4-8) defeated the Florida Everblades (8-2-1-1) in a tight 5-4 match, the Gladiators will host the Everblades again Friday night. The newest Gladiator, Mike Embach, who was acquired Thursday morning from Cincinnati, made the biggest contribution in the first game against Florida, scoring his first goal of the season in the second period, and notching two assists. Brenden Walker also picked up an assist, and scored the game-winning goal with under five minutes to go in the third. That was Florida's first road loss this season (6-0), as it has lost three straight matches, while Gwinnett has won three out of the last four.

Scouting the Blades:

- Forward Matthew Pistilli is lapping the league in offense, being the only player to hit double digit goals so far (11); he added another when he scored the first goal in Thursday's contest. Pistilli also sits in third place with 10 assists, and is second with 21 points. The 25-year-old Montreal-native is currently on a five game point streak, and has notched a point in all but two of the 12 games he's played so far.

- Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis was just assigned back to Florida from Syracuse of the AHL. The 21-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning 2013 fifth round pick is off to a great start in his rookie campaign, posting impressive numbers so far in the ECHL (2-1, 2.68, .871) and the AHL (4-0, 1.92, .924).

Glads Notes:

New Face: The Gladiators made a trade on Wednesday, acquiring forward Mike Embach from the Cincinnati Cyclones for future considerations. The 25-year-old had two assists in five games for Cincy so far this season, but was a big part of the Clones offense during the 12-13 campaign. Embach scored 18 goals in 55 regular season games, then led Cincinnati in points in 17 playoff games (5 G, 12 A, 17 PTS). He also had three game-winners in the postseason, including the decisive goal in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Gwinnett.

Hi Mike! Bye Mike!: Coyotes goaltending prospect Mike Lee made his first start of the season (a rehab appearance) on Monday in Greenville, stopping 29 of 30 shots in a 3-1 Glads win. Lee's visit was short-lived however, as he was reassigned back to AHL Portland by the Coyotes the next day.

Who's Hot: Rookie forward Marshall Everson has at least a point in three of his first four games as a pro, and a current three-game point streak ... Coyotes prospect Brenden Walker returned to the lineup for Gwinnett on Monday, and scored the game-winning goal on Thursday.

Milestones: Forward Joey Haddad is seven games away from 100 as a Gladiator ... Defenseman Justin Weller is one game from 75 as a pro, all of them coming in Gwinnett.

Everybody Do Your Share: Of the 22 skaters that played in the first twelve games, 19 have at least a point for the Gladiators. Brenden Walker, Jonathan Narbonne, Kurtis Bartliff, Philippe Halley, Devon Krogh, and Marshall Everson have scored their first professional goals so far this season, and 14 different Gladiators have scored at least one goal this season.

Food For Thought: The last two Kelly Cup winners have gone a combined 3-9-2-0 in the month of October. It took the defending Kelly Cup Champion Reading Royals seven games to get their first win last season.

Glads on Social Media: If you haven't already, check out the Gladiators on Facebook (Facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators) and on Twitter (Twitter.com/GWTGladiators) for all the latest news, team contests, and more! Also check out the team's FREE smartphone app for Apple and Android devices!

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ECHL Stories from November 15, 2013


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