ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Take Series Lead, 2 game to 1

Published on April 21, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Kris Goodjohn scored his second game winning goal of the post season and the Gladiators first post season power play goal at home while Michael Garnett turned aside 38 shots to help Gwinnett to a 3-2 win on Wednesday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center and a 2 games to 1 series lead against the Louisiana IceGators in the ECHL's Central Division Finals.

Chris Durno got the Gladiators going 66 seconds into the opening period throwing the puck off the back of Louisiana netminder Frederic Cloutier from behind the net to give the Gladiators the early 1-0 lead. Line mates Steve Slonina and Kris Goodjohn picked up the assists on the goal.

Louisiana answered a little over a minute later when Gladiators netminder Michael Garnett got caught out of his cage and IceGators defenseman Ben Storey ripped a slap shot past Garnet. Semir Ben-Amor and Kenny Corupe added the assists on tally at 2:22 of the first period.

Gwinnett regained the lead when defenseman Wes Swinson beat Cloutier over the shoulder through a screen in front of the net regaining the Gladiators one goal advantage. Tyler Deis and Kevin Doell recorded the assists on the tally at 5:58 of the first period.

Gwinnett extended its lead to two goals with the first power play goal of the post season at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Kris Goodjohn's slap shot from the right wing circle dribbled past Cloutier to give the Gladiators the 3-1 advantage. Troy Milam and Blue Bennefield picked up the helpers on the tally at 9:20 of the second period.

Louisiana cut the lead back to one goal with Cloutier pulled in favor of an extra attacker at 19:02 of the third period. Konstantin Kalmikov picked up a rebound along the goal line and beat Garnett for the tally. Bruce Richardson and Matt Dzieduszycki added the assists on the extra man goal for the IceGators.

Louisiana had another flurry in front of Garnett as time expired but the IceGators could not solve the Gladiators netminder who made 38 saves in the win.

The Gladiators will be looking to close out the Central Division Finals on Friday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Game #4 against the Louisiana IceGators at 7:35 p.m. Tickets are available at Atlanta area Ticketmaster location, charge by phone at 404-249-6400 or online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Arena at Gwinnett Center box office.

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ECHL Stories from April 21, 2004


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