ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Game Preview - Gladiators at IceMen

January 31, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


When: TONIGHT at 8:15 P.M. EST

Where: Ford Center, Evansville, Ind.

Listen: AM 550, FM 102.9, WDUN.com; Gladiators Broadcast Network - www.gwinnettgladiators.com/radio, www.mixlr.com/gladiators-radio, Mixlr app (Gladiators Radio)

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Gladiators (14-23-2-1) get back onto the ice at the Ford Center to take on the Evansville IceMen (14-25-4-3) once again a night after their 4-1 loss. In that game, the Gladiators had a season high 10 power plays, yet they weren't able to convert on any of them. On the opposite side, Chris Driedger was impressive in the crease. He made 39 saves on 40 shots against as he helped his squad snap a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2-0).

Glads Notes:

CPZ, POW: Gladiators alternate captain Casey Pierro-Zabotel was named the ECHL Player of the Week on Tuesday following a five goal, three assist weekend. On Friday, Casey had three assists in Gwinnett's 7-5 win over the Florida Everblades. On Saturday, he achieved his first professional hat trick, and scored the overtime game-winning goal in Gwinnett's 4-3 OT victory over the Everblades. And on Sunday, he came close to another hat trick, netting two goals. Pierro-Zabotel leads the Eastern Conference in scoring with 46 points in 36 games played - second overall among active ECHL players.

Hat Trick City: The Gladiators achieved hat tricks on back-to-back nights last Friday and Saturday, a very rare feat that has only happened once before in Gladiators history. On January 6th, 2006, rookie Milan Gajic had a hat trick to help defeat the Pensacola Ice Pilots, 6-2. The next night, on January 7th, Guillaume Desbiens contributed to nearly every one of Gwinnett's six goals with four goals and an assist in the team's 6-3 win over the Columbia Inferno. Gajic and Desbiens would go on to achieve back to back hat tricks again in the playoffs later that season (May 1st vs. Florida and May 5th vs. Toledo).

The Kardiac Kids: In two of their last four games, the Gladiators have trailed late in their games, come back to tie the score, and bring it to overtime. On Saturday night, Gwinnett trailed 3-2 to the Florida Everblades with under two minutes remaining. Before the team could pull Adam Brown for an extra skater, Casey Pierro-Zabotel scored to tie the game, and eventually scored the game-winning goal in OT. On Wednesday, the Glads were trailing 2-1 to the Indy Fuel with 2:14 remaining until Brenden Walker scored to tie the game. Though Gwinnett didn't win in overtime, they salvaged a valuable point in Indianapolis.

Working for the Weekend: Of the last eight Friday or Saturday games the Gladiators have played, the team has won six of them. Over those eight Friday/Saturdays, Gwinnett has outscored their opponents 31 to 21.

Gladiators Ahoy: Two players currently on the Gladiators roster have been assigned from their AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates- James Melindy and Dyson Stevenson - and seven more - Joel Hanley (POR), Dan O'Donoghue (POR), Louis Domingue (POR), Jordon Southorn (POR) Greg Carey (POR), Bretton Stamler (HFD), and Casey Pierro-Zabotel (NOR) - have spent time in the AHL this year.

Milestones: Sean Berkstresser is three points away from his 200th professional point ... Geoff Paukovich is two goals from his 50th as a pro, and two points away from his 100th ECHL point.

Streaks: Casey Pierro-Zabotel has nine goals and 21 assists in his last 20 games, and points in ten of his last 12 (9g, 10a) ... Garry Nunn has two goals and six assists in his last nine games ... Brenden Walker has three goals and four assists in his last seven games

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 31, 2015


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