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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Fall to Checkers, 5-3, Winning Streak Snapped in Loss

December 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Jon Awe notched a pair of goals for the Gladiators while Derek Nesbitt had a pair of assists but it wasn't enought for the Gladiators in a 5-3 loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday's night at the Charlotte Bobcats' Arena. With the loss, Gwinnett's seven game winning streak is snapped as the Gladiators fall to 18-6-1 on the year.

Charlotte jumed out to a 1-0 lead on the Gladiators just 60 seconds into the contest. Matt Waddell's slap shot from the left wing point was inadverantley deflected by a Gladiators defenseman in the slot and past Gwinnett netminder Dan Turple for the Charlotte marker. Blake Bellefeuille and Mike Bayrack notched the assists on the goal for Checkers.

Gwinnett answered at the 6:07 mark of the first period on the power play. In his first game back after being reassigned from AHL Houston, Awe beat Charlotte netminder Mike Ayers on a one-timer from the right point for his 3rd goal of the sesaon. Lou Dickenson and Nesbitt notched the assist on the goal for Gwinnett.

Dickenson gave the Gladiators their first lead of the game at the 8:50 mark of the first period with his 10th goal of the season. Trailing an odd man rush, Dickenson beat Ayers to the glove side with a snap shot from 20 feet out. Jeff Campbell set up the goal as he found Dickenson wide open in the slot. Nesbitt notched his second assist of the game on the even strength goal for Gwinnett.

Charlotte equalized the contest at 2-2 late in the second period just seconds after a Checker's power play expired. Mike Bayrack clanked the puck off the cross bar over the shoulder of Turple with 1:43 left in the second period for the goal. Bellefeuille and Waddell collected the assists on the goal for Charlotte.

Charlotte took a 3-2 lead on the Gladiators just 4:44 into the third period. Shawn Vinz ripped a slapshot though traffic in front of Turple for the marker. Bellefeuille and Waddell again added the assists for the Checkers on the goal.

Chris Caparo pushed the Checkers lead to two goals at the 6:01 mark of the third period. Caparo picked off a bad clearing attempt by the Gladiators and rolled the puck around Turple for the marker. Michael Busto and Bruce Graham notched the assists on the goal for Charlotte.

Charlotte then put the game out of reach with a penalty shot goal at 17:04 of the third period. Caparo beat Turple on the penalty shot for the goal. Jeff Mason was called with hauling down Caparo on a breakway to award Charlotte with the penalty shot.

Awe pulled Gwinnett back within two goals with his second marker of the night. Ripping a slap shot from the left wing point, Awe's shot just trickled past Ayers and over the goal line for the maker. Awe's marker came unassisted with 1:43 left in the third period.

Gwinnett pulled Turple over the final minute and a half but could get no closer in the loss. Turple posted 23 saves in the loss as Gwinnett went 1-for-2 on the power play in the losing effort.

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Saturday, December 22nd as the Gladiators host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Saturday's game 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 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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