ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

November 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Reliable: Gladiators left winger Mike Vigilante continues to pick up points and has tallied at least on point in each of the Gladiators last 9 games. He added two assists in Saturday's 4-2 win over Roanoke, had an assist in Friday's 3-1 win over South Carolina and scored a goal in the Gladiators 3-2 shootout win over Augusta on Friday. Vigilante's streak is currently tied for the third longest in the ECHL.

On a Roll: The Gladiators three game wining streak is currently tied for the longest winning streak right now in the ECHL. With Saturday's 4-2 win over the Roanoke Express, the Gladiators snapped Roanoke's 6 game winning streak, which at the time, was tied for the longest winning streak to date in the ECHL. The Gladiators have already won five straight games during the season and have also been unbeaten in seven games as well.

Best team? The Gladiators own the best record right now in the ECHL at 10-2-1 for 21 points. The Gladiators ..808 winning percentage is tops in the ECHL while their 21 points is tied with Johnstown and Las Vegas for most in the ECHL. The Gladiators do not face Johnstown or Las Vegas in the regular season this year.

Marathon: Michael Garnett's 8 saves in Thursday's marathon 10-round shootout is currently the most by a single goaltender in one game this season in the ECHL. David St. Germain's 7 saves against the Gladiators on October 25th was the previous high for saves in a shootout this season.

Tough Guy: Blue Bennefield added 14 penalty minutes to his totals in Saturday's 4-2 win over Roanoke pushing his total to 86 on the year and placing him in a tie for fourth in the ECHL in penalty Minutes. Despite sitting in the penalty box for 86 minutes, Bennefield's five goals are currently tied for the teams lead in goals scored this season. In 13 games, Bennefield has posted six points for the Gladiators.

Shooting Gallery: The Gladiators continue to pummel their opponents with shots and have moved into first place in the ECHL in shots on goal averaging 37.85 shots per game. In addition to leading the league in shots, the Gladiators also lead the league in fewest shots allowed, giving up just 25.31 shots per game.

Community Update:

Gladiator Night at the Cooler in Alpharetta – Maximus and the Gladiators players will be attending the Gladiators night at the Cooler in Alpharetta on Tuesday, November 18th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information about the Cooler and it's programs please contact Brian Stout at 678-614-2676

Snellville Rotary – Gladiators Director of Community Relations Jim Hall will be the guest speaker at the Snellville Rotary Club on Tuesday, November 18th. The Meeting gets underway at 7:30 a.m. at the Snellville Country Club. For more information about the Snellville Rotary Club, please contact Scott Henle at 770-982-7901.

Meadowcreek Elementary School – Maximus the Mascot will be representing the Gladiators at the Meadowcreek Elementary School Kids Reading Day on Friday November 21st from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. For more information about the Meadowcreek Elemenatary School Reading Day, please contact Margaret Kehoe at 770-931-5701.

My Friends Place, Highway 120 / Lawrenceville – Selected players will represent the Gladiators at My Friends Place on Friday, November 21st from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about My Friends Place, please contact Dawn Goldys at 678-215-2334

Jocks & Jills, State Bridge Road in Alpharetta – Selected players will represent the Gladiators at Jocks & Jills on Friday, November 21st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about Jocks & Jills please contact Lyndsey Edsall at 770-495-8644.

Last Week's Games: 3-0-0, 9 pts.

November 13th, Gladiators 3, Augusta 2, SOW

The Gladiators needed 10 rounds in a shootout to knock off the Augusta Lynx 3-2 at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center last night as Joe Bourne's goal in the final round was the winner. Augusta opened up a 1-0 lead on a Scott Kelman goal 4:03 into the first period. Brandon Dietrich answered with a power play goal three seconds into a power play at the 5:08 mark of the period. Matt Dzieduszycki regained the lead for the Lynx with 6:05 left in the second. Mike Vigilante tied the contest up at two at the 13:19 mark of the third period. Goals were exchanged in the first round and the sixth round before Joe Bourne was able to pick up the winner in the 10th round of the shootout for the win. Michael Garnett made 22 saves in the win.

November 14th, Gladiators 3, South Carolina, 1, W

The Gladiators used two third period goals to beat the South Carolina Stingrays 3-1 in front of 5,026 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Friday night. Blue Bennefield gave the Gladiators a 1-0 at the 5:33 mark of the first period. South Carolina tied the contest up at one four minutes later on a goal by Marty Clapton. Kris Goodjohn scored what proved to be the game winner seconds after a Gladiators power play expired at the 9:22 mark of the third period. The Gladiators extended their lead to two goals as Brad Peddle scored his first goal of the season on a five-on-three power play at the 12:32 mark of the third period. Michael Garnett made 20 saves for the Gladiators in the win and improves to 6-1-0 on the season.

November 15th, Gladiators 4, Roanoke 2, W

The Gladiators used two second period goals to steamroll past the Roanoke Express 4-2 and improve to 10-2-1 on the season. Roanoke jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Andrew McPherson at 3:10 of the first period. Gladiators Kris Goodjohn tied the game up at 1-1 three minutes later. In the second, Blue Bennefield gave the Gladiators their first lead of the game as he beat Roanoke netminder David Belitski at 4:38 of the period.

Troy Milam extended the Gladiators lead to two goals as he ripped a slap shot past Belitski at 7:20 of the second. Roanoke cut the lead back to one on a goal by Tim O'Connell's at the 11:22 mark of the final period. With two and a half minutes left in the contest, Roanoke pulled goaltender David Belitski in favor of an extra attacker. Kevin Doell made the Express pay as he picked up his fifth goal of season when he found the empty net at the 18:37 mark of the final period. Adam Munro made 29 saves in the win and improves to 4-1-1 on the season. The Gladiators went 1-for-7 on the power play in the win.

This Week's Games:

Wednesday, November 19th, @ Charlotte, 7:05 p.m.

The Gladiators are 1-0-1 in two meetings against the Checkers this season. Charlotte is one of three teams to surrender five goals this season to the Gladiators (5-3 CHR loss on 10/18). The Gladiators only overtime/shootout loss this season came against the Checkers on October 25th, a 4-3 setback.

Thursday, November 20th, vs. South Carolina, 7:05 p.m.

The Gladiators lead the season series 1-0-0 following last Friday's 3-1 win at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Gladiators make two trips to North Charleston to take on the Stingray's in December. Following Thursday's game, the Rays make just one more trip to the Arena at Gwinnett Center on January 17th.

Saturday, November 22nd, vs. Greenville, 7:35 p.m.

Saturday's game marks the first of seven meetings against the Greenville Grrowl. Greenville is in 8th place in the Southern division with a 1-8-1 record. Their only win came on November 1st against Augusta in a 6-2 win.

Thursday is College Night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center when the South Carolina Stingrays are in town for a 7:05 p.m. tilt. Get a $5 mezzanine level ticket with a valid college ID at the Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office. Catch Georgia Tech battle the University of Georgia following the Gladiators game as they battle in a club hockey match up.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 17, 2003


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