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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Blanked, 4-0

March 13, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - After a busy week of transactions, the Gladiators (17-37-3-2) entered Friday night's game with an almost unrecognizable roster, but the new talent was not enough to out-power the South Carolina Stingrays (35-18-1-6), who grabbed an ECHL-tying record of 17 consecutive wins by shutting out the home team, 4-0. Mike Lee had an impressive night in net for the Gladiators, saving 35 shots, while Jeff Jakaitis saved everything Gwinnett sent in his direction.

There was an undeniable spark out on the ice from the newly revamped and seemingly re-energized Gladiators to begin the first period. After several minutes of Gwinnett pressure and some spectacular saves by Mike Lee, it was South Carolina that broke through. Joe Devin split the two defensemen and shot one past the diving goaltender at 9:25, to give the Stingrays the first period lead.

After a tight first period, South Carolina came out in full force in the second. Lee was once again challenged in net, facing 16 shots in the period. The Stingrays converted two of those shots into goals, starting with Wayne Simpson's at 7:39. The Stingrays' offense overwhelmed the Gladiators in their zone as Andrew Rowe shot the puck in on net, with Simpson at the top of the crease to immediately follow it up. Caleb Herbert made it 3-0 for the "Rays, slipping it into the Gladiators' net at 14:26.

Tensions came to a head in the third period, with eleven called penalties shared by both teams. Again, it was the Stingrays who buried a fourth and final goal amidst all of the brutality of the third period. Rob Ricci tucked the puck underneath an exhausted Lee at 16:37 of the period.

The Gladiators' efforts in the third period were fruitless, as Jeff Jakaitis was once again impermeable in net, blocking all 19 shots sent his way. It was Jakaitis' second straight shutout of his former team, and South Carolina's fourth in the last five matchups with Gwinnett. The Stingrays challenged Lee with 39 shots, 35 of which he was able to save.

The Gladiators head to North Charleston tomorrow, March 14th, to play the South Carolina Stingrays in their home barn at 7:05 p.m. The Gladiators will return to home ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center to face the Orlando Solar Bears Friday, March 27th at 7:35 p.m. Come and enjoy another Friendly Friday, which offers an all-inclusive special featuring a ticket plus food and drink.

For tickets and schedule information, visit the official team website at 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 Arizona 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 - where parking is always free.

As Atlanta's "One and Only" professional hockey team, the Gladiators have established an extraordinary winning tradition and unrivaled commitment to excellence, maintaining a distinctive reputation for affordable and family-friendly sports entertainment. The Gladiators are consistently ranked as one of the top "Things To Do" in the Atlanta area and across the North Georgia region.

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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