ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Final Weekly Update for 2011-12 Season

Published on April 10, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators concluded the 2011-12 season with a 4-3 double overtime loss to the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Sunday to drop the opening round best-of-five series 3-games-to-1. The Gladiators finished the regular season with 93 points and a 41-20-7-4 record as the ECHL South Division Champions and in second place in the Eastern Conference. It was the best finish for the Gladiators since the 2007-08 season when Gwinnett also finished with 93 points.

Last Week's Results:

ECHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals:

Tuesday, April 3rd: South Carolina 3, Gwinnett 0 - L

"ª The South Carolina Stingrays shut out the Gwinnett Gladiators 3-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to take a 1-game-to-none lead in the best-of-five series. Greg Stewart scored twice to lead the Stingrays in scoring while Johann Kroll's marker half way through the first proved to be the game winner. Darren Machesney posted 20 saves to record the first shutout of the year against Gwinnett this season.

Wednesday, April 4th: Gwinnett 3, South Carolina 2 - W

Joey Haddad scored twice in the third period, including the game winner with 1:51 left in the final period, to help the Gwinnett Gladiators to a 3-2 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series. Marc Cheverie finished with 20 saves in the win for Gwinnett.

Friday, April 6th: South Carolina 4, Gwinnett 3 - L (4OT)

The second longest game in ECHL history ended when Zach Tarkir beat Gwinnett netminder Marc Cheverie 4:19 into the fourth overtime period. Gwinnett could not hold onto three one-goal leads in the losing effort. Dallas Jackson finished with two points (1g, 1a) to lead Gwinnett in scoring. South Carolina notched the only power play goal in the game. After starting at 7:08 p.m., the game ended at 12:12 a.m. the following day.

Sunday, April 8th: South Carolina 4, Gwinnett 3 - L (2OT)

The Gwinnett Gladiators season ended in 4-3 loss to the South Carolina Stingrays in double overtime in Game Four of the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Sunday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Nikita Kashirsky collected two markers on the night for Gwinnett. With the Gladiators trailing 3-2 late in the third period, Will Colbert notched the game tying goal with 1:40 to play in the third period to send the contest past regulation. But it was Maxime Lacroix for South Carolina who posted the game-winner in the second overtime period.

(South Carolina Wins Series 3-1)

News & Notes:

No Sweep: The Gladiators dropped the ECHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the South Carolina Stingrays 3-games-to-1. With a win in game 2, the Gladiators avoided getting swept out of the post season. In seven post season appearances and 14 playoff series since arriving in Gwinnett, the Gladiators have never been swept (losing three our four straight games) out of a playoff series to end their season.

A 7-Game Series? The Gladiators and Stingrays met in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in a best-of-five playoff series - or 15 periods of playoff hockey scheduled. With two multiple overtime games, the series was extended to 18 periods of hockey - or the equivalent of six games.

That's a Lot of Hockey: The Gladiators and South Carolina Stingrays came 1:51 shy of setting a new league record for longest game in ECHL history on Friday night. The game, eventually won by the Stingray's Zach Tarkir, spanned into four overtime periods - or seven periods total. The game lasted 124:19 before a winner was determined as it stretched into Saturday morning concluding at 12:12 a.m., five hours and four minutes after it began.

Home, not so sweet home: The Gladiators returned to the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Friday with the best-of-five series tied at one game each with the South Carolina Stingrays. Gwinnett couldn't find a win on home ice in the post season for the first time in team history. Entering the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Gwinnett had won at least one game on home ice in all 13 prior series.

Team Leaders: Defenseman Dallas Jackson led the Gladiators in scoring the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs notching four points off of one goal and three assists in four playoff games. Joey Haddad and Nikita Kashirsky each collected two goals in the playoffs for Gwinnett.

Upcoming Events:

2012-13 Season Ticket Plans! Gladiators Full Season Ticket Plans as well as Gladiators mini season ticket package are on sale for the 2012-13 Season. Fans can reserve their seats for the upcoming season by logging onto the official team website www.gwinnettgladiators.com or by calling the Gladiators office at 770-497-5100 for all the details.

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ECHL Stories from April 10, 2012


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