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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Singe Inferno, 5-1

March 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators posted a 5-1 win over the Columbia Inferno in front of 10,349 on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Gladiators win, coupled with regulation losses by Florida and Texas helped the Gladiators move into a tie for first place in the ECHL's South Division. With the win, Gwinnett improves to 37-19-7 on the year.

Chad Painchaud's 22nd goal of the season gave the Gladiators a 3-1 lead on the Columbia Inferno just 32 seconds into the first period. Painchaud collected a rebound in the slot and flipped the puck past Columbia netminder Robert Gherson for the goal. Joel Stepp and Chris Thompson posted the assists on the marker for Gwinnett.

Columbia tied the game up at one on the power play at the 4:24 mark of the first period. Bryson Busniuk ripped a slap shot past Gladiators netminder Dave Caruso from the blue line for the power play. Brendan Cook and Mac Faulkner had the assists on the goal for the Inferno.

Gwinnett regained the lead on Joel Stepp's 14th goal of the season. Stepp walked into the Columbia zone and ripped a slap shot over the shoulder of Gherson for the marker. Painchaud and Thompson hooked up to set up the goal for the Gladiators to give Gwinnett a 2-1 lead on the Inferno.

Blue Bennefield's 15th goal of the season pushed the Gladiators lead to 3-2 late in the first period. Parked in the slot, Bennefield redirected Andy Contois' centering feed past Gherson to give Gwinnett the two-goal margin. Mike Vigilante also had an assist on the goal at the 12:49 mark of the first period.

Gwinnett added to its lead at the 4:54 mark of the third period as Chris Thompson collected his 11th goal of the season for the Gladiators, as he picked up a loose puck after it clanked of the post and pushed it past Gherson for the goal. Painchaud had his second assist of the game on the marker for Gwinnett.

Luke Erickson's first professional goal rounded out the scoring for the Gladiators at the 9:32 mark of the third period. Painchaud and Stepp hooked up to set up Erickson for the power play goal for Gwinnett.

Dave Caruso won his third consecutive game for the Gladiators, making 33 saves in the win. Gwinnett finished with one power play goal on five chances in the win. Columbia posted its only goal in the loss on the man advantage.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on March 18th as they host the Florida Everblades on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on ice dyed green at 4:05 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 March 17, 2007


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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