ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Fall to Stingrays, 5-2; Trail Series 1-0

Published on April 18, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators got first period goals from Jim Jackson and Ryan Mahrle but could not get past the South Carolina Stingrays in a 5-2 loss in Game 1 of the ECHL South Division Semifinals on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. With the win, South Carolina takes a 1-game-to-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Gwinnett and South Carolina play Game 2 of the series at the North Charleston Coliseum Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

The Gladiators jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on South Carolina in the first period. Jackson notched his 3rd goal of the post season ripping a slap shot past South Carolina netminder Davis Parley from the left wing point for the marker. Jeff Campbell collected an assist on the goal sliding the puck back to Jackson to set up the goal at 2:39 of the first period.

South Carolina answered just 60 seconds later. The Stingrays capitalized on a Gladiators turnover inside the Gwinnett zone for the marker. Travis Morin was able to rip a snap shot over the shoulder of Gladaitors netminder Craig Kowalski for the goal. Scott Romfo notched an assist on the marker for the Stingrays.

Mahrle regained the lead for Gwinnett at 6:21 of the first period. Working down the off wing on a power play, Mahrle took a rink wide pass from Tomas Pospisil on an odd man rush and flicked the puck past an outstretched Parley for the 2-1 lead. Matt Anderson also had an assist on the goal for Gwinnett.

Another Gwinnett turnover inside the Gladiators zone resulted in South Carolina's second goal of the game. Pierre-Luc O'Brien ripped a wrist shot over Kowalski' shoulder to the far post to tie the game at two. Matt Smith and Nate Kiser notched the assists on the goal for the Stingrays at 11:34 of the first period.

Gwinnett fell behind for the first time in the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs in the second period. Morin notched his second goal of the game as he stuffed the puck past Kowalski with time expiring in the second period. Morin's goal officially came at the 19:59 mark as there was less than a second left in the period when the puck crossed the line. Assists on the goal went to Chris Chaput and Sean Collins for South Carolina.

South Carolina extended their lead to two goals in the third period at the 3:57 mark of the final stanza. Chris Chaput capitalized on another Gladiators turnover to post the goal beating Kowalski over the shoulder for the marker. Collins and Rory Rawlyk notched the assists on the goal for South Carolina for a 4-2 lead.

Marty Guerin put the game out of reach at 16:01 of the third period flicking the puck over the shoulder of Kowalski in the slot for the goal. Trent Campbell and Stephen Werner collected the assists on the goal for the Stingrays giving South Carolina a 5-2 lead.

Gwinnett could get no closer depsite pressure late in the thrid period. Kowalski finished with 27 saves in the loss while the Gladiators went 1-for-4 on the power play in the loss.

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season in the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs with Game 2 of the ECHL South Division Semifinals on Saturday, April 18th as they travel to North Charleston to take on the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Saturday'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 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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