ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators checkmate Royals, 5-1

Published on October 28, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Craig Kowalski posted 23 saves to help the Gwinnett Gladiators to their fourth consecutive win in a 5-1 victory over the Reading Royals on Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Jamie Milam had two assists to pace the Gladiators in scoring in the win. The Gladiators remain in second place in the ECHL South Division with 8 points. South Carolina remains in first place in the division with 9 points.

Jim Jackson got the Gladiators on the board with his second goal of the season, ripping a slap shot over the shoulder of Reading netminder Jonathan Quick. Chad Denny and Myles Stoesz collected the assists on the goal, helping the puck slide back to Jackson to set up the marker.

Gwinnett took a 2-0 lead on the Royals at the 11:14 mark of the first period. Dirk Southern posted his second goal of the season finishing an odd man rush with Lou Dickenson. After Dickenson pulled Quick out of position, the puck slid to a waiting Southern who tapped the puck past Quick for the maker.

Jeff Campbell gave the Gladiators a 3-0 lead with his first goal of the season. Stepping out of the penalty box, Campbell collected a loose puck and beat Quick through the five-hole for the unassisted goal for the Gladiators.

Gwinnett pushed its lead to 4-0 on Derek Nesbitt's fourth goal of the season beating Quick over the shoulder for the marker just 2:36 into the third period. Nesbitt's unassisted goal came on the power play for Gwinnett.

Ryan Walsh collected his first goal of the season for the Gladiators midway through the third period. Deflecting a Jamie Milam slapshot from the point, Walsh pushed the Gladiators lead to 5-0 with the marker at the 9:54 mark of the third period. Stuart MacRae also collected an assist on the power play goal.

Reading spoiled Kowalski's shutout bid at the 13:17 mark of the third period. P.J. Atherton pulled the puck off the right wing dasher board and beat Kowalski to the short side for the unassisted tally.

With the Gladiators leading 5-1 and tempers flaring on both sides, 89 minutes of penalties were handed out between Gwinnett's Myles Stoesz and Reading's Rob LaLonde, Malcolm MacMillan and Matt Stefanishion at the 18:26 mark of the third period.

Kowalski finished with 23 saves for the Gladiators as Gwinnett went 2-for-11 on the power play in the win, while the Gladiators kept Reading off the board on six man advantage opportunities.

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Tuesday, October 30th as they host the Reading Royals at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Sunday's game on WDUN, News Talk 550.

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 will have 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 open their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL in October of 2007 - season tickets 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 October 28, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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