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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Secure Playoff Berth

March 31, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that they have clinched a Central Division Playoff berth. With their dramatic shoot-out win last night over the Greensboro Generals coupled with a shootout loss by the Columbus Cottonmouths against the Mississippi Sea Wolves, the Gladiators have earned the opportunity to play for the ECHL Kelly Cup in only their first season.

There are several different playoff scenarios that could occur depending on the outcome of remaining regular season games played by the Louisiana IceGators, the Mississippi Sea Wolves, the Pensacola Ice Pilots and the Gladiators. In those scenarios, the Gladiators could finish as high as the Central Division's #2 seed or as low as the Division's #4 seed. The top four teams in regular season standings from the Central Division advance to the playoffs.

In the Central Division Semi-Finals, which begin next week, the #1 seed will take on the #4 seed and the #2 seed will take on the #3 seed in the division. Should the Gladiators finish in third or fourth in the ECHL's Central Division; Gwinnett will open the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, April 7th on the road while the first Kelly Cup Playoff Game at the Arena at Gwinnett Center is scheduled for Saturday, April 10th at 7:35 p.m.

Currently tied with Pensacola at 87 points in third place, the Gladiators hold the tie breaker of head-to-head goal differential should the two teams remain deadlocked in point totals. The order of tie breakers are as follows - 1. regular season wins, 2. head-to-head point total, 3. head-to-head wins, 4. head-to-head goal differential. The following tentative schedules have been set with Gwinnett as a lower seed:

Gwinnett vs. Mississippi Gwinnett vs. Louisiana

Wed., April 7, @ Mississippi, 8:35 p.m. Wed., April 7, @ Louisiana, 8:05 p.m.

Fri., April 9, @ Mississippi, 8:35 p.m. Thur., April 8, @ Louisiana, 8:05 p.m.

Sat, April 10, vs. Mississippi, 7:35 p.m. Sat, April 10, vs. Louisiana, 7:35 p.m.

Mon., April 12, vs. Mississippi, 7:35 p.m.* Sun., April 11, vs. Louisiana, 4:05 p.m.*

Wed., April 14, @ Mississippi, 8:05 p.m.* Wed., April 14, @ Louisiana, 8:05 p.m.*

(* if necessary)

There is an outside chance that the Gladiators could move into second place but would involve Mississippi losing its remaining three games in regulation while the Gladiators would need to win their remaining three games. Should that occur, Gwinnett also holds the tie breakers against the Sea Wolves.

The Gladiators moved within one point of a playoff berth with a 4-3 shootout win over the Greensboro Generals last night. Gwinnett had to wait overnight for the outcome of the Columbus and Mississippi game that began last night but was suspended before the beginning of the third period due to poor ice conditions at Columbus. The game resumed this morning at 11:00 a.m. where Mississippi won in a shootout, 4-3. The loss prevented Columbus from picking up an extra point needed to mathematically stay alive in the playoff race.

With 40 wins this season, the Gladiators have already tied an organizational record for most wins in a season at 40 posted during the 1999-00 season. In addition, the 87 points earned thus far sets a new team record for points in a season, breaking the 82 points posted during the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons. The Gladiators 18 road wins also sets a new organizational mark in that category.

Gwinnett closes out the regular season at Florence tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. before returning home to battle the Columbus Cottonmouths on Friday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in an 8:05 p.m. start before the regular season finale on Saturday night at home against the Florence Pride at 8:05 p.m.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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