ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators and Fans Toss Bears in 3-2 Win

February 2, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - On the 11th annual Teddy Bear Toss Night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, the Gwinnett Gladiators downed the aptly named Orlando Solar Bears, 3-2. Maxime Legault had a goal and an assist, while Bobby Hughes had two helpers. With the win on the special night, the Gladiators (17-24-1-2) have won four of their last five Teddy Bear Toss Nights.

The fur and fluff came flying early in the match when alternate captain Dirk Southern scored his sixth of the season at 10:29 of the first period, on assists from Legault and Justin Weller. The bears that were tossed on the ice will be donated to local Atlanta-area children's hospitals and charities in the upcoming weeks.

C.J. Severyn tied the score for Orlando (22-16-1-2), 3:46 into the second period on a power play goal from Blake Kessel. It was only the second power play goal the Gladiators have given up at home in 2014, as vistors had gone a combined 1-for-30 while a man up before that game-tying strike.

The Gladiators other alternate captain, Max Legault gave the Gladiators the lead again with a touch backhand goal off a perfect pass from Bobby Hughes at 10:09 of the second. It was Hughes' first game back since January 7th, having missed the previous nine games due to injury.

Seven minutes later, the Solar Bears tied it again with C.J. Severyn's second goal of the period, assisted by Blake Kessel. In six games against Gwinnett, Severyn has been electric, scoring four times, and adding five assists.

In the third, Marshall Everson gave the Gladiators their third and final lead as he scored the eventual game-winner just 1:17 into the period on a power play goal from Hughes and Rob Kwiet. Everson took the shot from the far side faceoff circle, which then deflected off Colton Jobke, and rang off the top shelf of the net.

Gwinnett finished only 1-for-7 on the power play, but it was their 16th game out of the last 24 games that the team has scored on the man advantage. It was a dominant night for Gwinnett on both sides of the puck as they set team highs in shots (43, besting their high of 42 back on New Year's Eve), and fewest shots allowed (20, beating out the previous low of 24 on October 26th).

The team will now head to the road for the next two weeks, for two separate road trips to the Sunshine State. They'll close out their four game set against Orlando next Thursday at the Amway Center, and then head to Estero, Florida to take on the Florida Everblades the next two nights. They'll then head back to Orlando for two more the following week.

The Gladiators will return to the Arena at Gwinnett Center on February 21st, when they host the Reading Royals for a 7:05 tilt for Friendly Friday. To purchase tickets, please visit www.gwinnettgladiators.com, or call the main office line at 770-497-5100.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league and are affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit GwinnettGladiators.com, or "like" the Gladiators on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators), and follow the team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/GWTGladiators).

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ECHL Stories from February 2, 2014


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