ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Continue Road Unbeaten Streak

Published on December 12, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


A penalty-filled match-up in Johnstown is exactly what would be expected in the former home of the fabled Charlestown Chiefs. Matt Siddall led the way for Gwinnett with his fists engaging in three fights, scoring the game-winning goal, and picking up an assist for the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick". The Gladiators have now played 10 straight road games without a regulation loss.

Tom Zanoski scored the lone first period goals for the Gwinnett Gladiators. Matt Siddall took a 2 minute instigator and 5 minute major for fighting, with no penalties going to the Chiefs. Aaron Brocklehurst was also whistled for Delay of Game. The Gladiators killed off the entire 2 minutes of 5 on 3 against them, before a penalty to the Chiefs evened play up 4-on-4. Tom Zanoski picked up the puck at the Gladiators attacking blue line. His shot was disguised as he snapped the puck quickly on net, and Shane Connelly never saw it as it sailed over his shoulder for the first Gladiators goal.

Zanoski picked up his second goal of the evening just over 3 minutes into the second period. A shot from the right point by Aaron Brocklehurst was deflected straight down by Zanoski and into the bottom right corner of the net.

After picking up an assist on Zanoski's second goal, Brocklehurst would add a goal of his own. While on the Applebees power play Brocklehurst got control of the puck at the top of the slot. With traffic in front of Connelly, Brocklehurst dialed up a big slap shot and squeezed the puck into the bottom left corner of the net.

Matt Siddall would add a goal at the 16:06 mark of the second period as well. After a mad scramble in front of the Chiefs goal, Siddall was able to find a bouncing puck and tucked it over the shoulder of Connelly for the 4-0 lead.

Francis kept the Gladiators right on pace at the beginning of the third period, when he scored an Applebees power play goal just 1:28 into the third. Francis and Jason Lawrence ran a give-and-go right on top the Johnstown crease and Francis slammed it in putting the Gladiators up 5-0.

Johnstown would eventually break Brown's bid for a shutout when former Gladiator Chris Zarb picked up a turnover while shorthanded and put the puck in the top right corner of the net. The goal broke a 102:13 streak of shutout hockey for the Gladiators.

Drew Paris would be the next Gladiator to find the scoresheet once again on the Applebees power play. Paris received a pass from Zanoski and fired a one-timer, gathered in his own rebound, and put the Gladiators back up by 5 goals.

The next two markers in the contest came from Johnstown, both on the man-advantage. Connor Shields was set up after a beautiful tic-tac-toe with Mike Couch finding Troy Schwab on the back post, and Schwab one-timing a pass over to Shields. Another power play goal came about 7 minutes later with Jim McKenzie firing a shot past David Brown. Troy Schwab picked up his second power play assist on the night.

Chad Denny would eventually put the icing on the cake when he scored on the empty Johnstown net with 8 seconds remaining in the game to put the Gladiators up 7-3. Brian Kaufman and Patrick Galivan assisted on the goal.

The Gladiators finished 3-7 on the Applebees power play while the Chiefs were 2-9. David Brown made 33 saves in the victory for Gwinnett.

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ECHL Stories from December 12, 2009


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