ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Blanked by Sea Wolves, 1-0

January 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Mike Vigilante, Jim Jackson and Jon Sitko returned to the Gwinnett lineup and Dan Turple turned in 22 saves, but it wasn't enough as the Gladiators fell 1-0 to the Mississippi Sea Wolves Saturday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

The Gladiators skated to only their sixth 1-0 game since the team moved to Gwinnett from Mobile, AL. The loss dropped their record to 2-3-1 in 1-0 contests with the last one being a win in Augusta on December 9 of 2006.

Despite plenty of chances in the first period, the two teams skated to a scoreless tie after 20 minutes. Neither team was able to capitalize on the man-advantage with Gwinnett going 0-for-4 on the advantage, including a minute and thirteen seconds of 5-on-3 hockey, while Mississippi was 0-for-2 on the power play.

The second period offered the same end as the first, but through different means. While the first stanza featured six penalties and the accompanying number of power play chances, the second was penalty free. The result however, was the same as the Gladiators and Sea Wolves entered the final stanza still knotted in a scoreless tie.

Mississippi broke the tie at the 14:15 mark of the third period on an even-strength marker from Torry Gajda. Gajda, parked in the slot, took a centering feed from Chris Cava and beat Turple on the glove side for what would turn out to be the game-winner. Kyle McAllister got the assist on the goal as well as Cava.

Gwinnett was unable to answer the Mississippi goal in the final five minutes despite pulling Turple in favor of an extra attacker and the Sea Wolves walked away with the 1-0 win.

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Friday, January 11th as they host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Friday's game online via AccessNorthGa.com on Access raiod streamming channel 3.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.

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ECHL Stories from January 5, 2008


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