Gladiators Drop PreSeason Game in Florida 6-4
October 9, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
The Gwinnett Gladiators opened up the 2009-10 preseason with a 6-4 loss to the Florida Everblades on Friday night at the Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. Florida and Gwinnett face off in 24 hours back at Germain Arena. For both teams it will be their second and final exhibition game.
The Everblades posted the win in front of 2,552 fans in the building with a 6-4 victory. ECHL MVP Kevin Baker continued his play from last season with four points (1-34), along with teammate Rob Hennigar (1-34), while the third member of the trio, Jacob Micflikier tallied three points (1-23). That line ended up with 11 points and were the three stars of the contest.
Gwinnett opened up the scoring at 10:46 in the first period, courtesy of defensemen Scott Marchesi's power-play tally. The Everblades tied the contest at 1-1 as Rob Hennigar chipped it in a loose puck for the Blades first goal of the preseason with 1:15 remaining in the first stanza. Matt Duffy and Jacob Micflikier were credited with helpers. Florida outshot Gwinnett 16-6, despite six minor penalties to the Gladiators two.
The Everblades took their first lead of the preseason as left winger Jacob Micflikier took a no look pass from Kevin Baker and buried the puck past Gwinnett goaltender Danny Taylor just over a minute into the middle frame. It didn't last long however, as the Gladiators stormed back to tie the game thanks to Gwinnett left winger Travis Fuller, who scored 17-seconds after the Florida goal. The Everblades recaptured the lead at 10:31 of the period when 2008-09 ECHL MVP Kevin Baker rifled a puck top shelf to make it 3-2, Florida. Jacob Micflikier and Rob Hennigar assisted on the Baker tally. Colin Nicholson gave the Blades a two-goal advantage with less than a minute left in the period tapping in his own rebound over goaltender Taylor's stick. Gwinnett would finish the scoring with just 25-seconds left in the period as Brian Kaufman beat Florida netminder Mike Morrison to cut the lead to 4-3 after 40-minutes.
The Everblades extended their lead to 5-3 at 8:09 in the third stanza. Blades defenseman A.J. Thelen registered the only power-play goal for Florida with help from defensive partner Matt Duffy and Baker. Florida would finish one of six on the extra-man advantage, while Gwinnett was one of nine. Scott Hotham gave the Blades a three goal lead at 13:52 of the final period. Gwinnett forward Matt Francis cut the Blades lead to 6-4 with just under two minutes to go but could get no closer.
Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that is the third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League. The ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.
The Gwinnett Gladiators open their 7th season in the ECHL on October 17th, 2009 against the Wheeling Nailers - season ticket packages for the 2009-10 season 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 Columbus Blue Jackets 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 9, 2009
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