ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Muscle Past Stingrays, 6-2

February 2, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Chad Painchaud and Scott Mifsud each collected two goals to lead the Gladiators to a 6-2 win over the South Carolina Stingray on Friday night on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Gwinnett improves to 26-13-5 on the season and remains in first place in the ECHL's South Division with 57 points.

South Carolina took a 1-0 lead on the Gladiators late in the first period. Mat Stefanishion slid past the Gladiators defense and flipped a shot past Gwinnett netminder Dave Caruso at the 16:35 mark of the period for the goal.

Gwinnett stormed back to take a 2-1 lead using a pair of goals from Chad Painchaud just 28 seconds apart. Painchaud slipped past the South Carolina defense and took a pass from Mike Vigilante before beating Stingrays netminder Davis Parley at the 7:07 mark of the second period. Jamie Milam also posted an assist on the goal, firing the puck up the ice to a waiting Vigilante.

Painchaud had his second goal at the 7:35 mark of the second period by sneaking down the left wing circle and taking another pass from Vigilante before burying the puck behind Parley. Andy Contois collected an assist on the goal for Gwinnett.

South Carolina equalized the contest at the 12:23 mark of the second period just as a Stingrays power play expired. Cail MacLean beat Caruso from the slot as he took a pass from Scott Romfo out of the corner to set up the marker. Jarret Konkle also collected an assist on the goal.

Blue Bennefield's deflection at the 16:20 mark of the second period put the Gladiators back in front. Bennefield redirected Jon Sitko's slapshot from the point past Parley for the marker. Brian Teixeira also had an assist on the goal for Gwinnett.

Scott Mifsud added his 15th goal of the season at the17:42 mark as he beat Parley with a slap shot from the left wing face off circle. Colton Fretter posted an assist on the goal as he fed Mifsud in the circle to set up the goal. Brad Schell also had an assist on the goal.

The Gladiators tacked on two goals in the third period to put the game away. Bryan Dobek banked the puck off of Parley's shoulder and the goal post before the puck settled in the back of the net giving Gwinnett a 5-2 lead. Teixeira collected his second assist of the game while Brian Lee also had a helper on the marker at the 4:43 of the third period.

Scott Mifsud's second goal of the game rounded out the scoring at the 12:52 mark of the third period as he beat Parley on a breakaway. Fretter was able to spring Mifsud on the breakway to set up the marker for Gwinnett. Mifsud's goal chased Parley from the net in favor of backup Jorge Alves.

Dave Caruso posted his 12th win of the season for Gwinnett, making 20 saves in the win for the Gladiators. Gwinnett was held off the scoresheet on the power play while South Carolina was also scoreless on the power play in the contest.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on February 3rd as they host the Alaska Aces on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m. Season tickets 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 on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice 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 February 2, 2007


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