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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

April 12, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


First Post Season Win: Gwinnett recorded its first ever post-season win as the Gladiators with a 2-1 overtime win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves in Game #1 of their best-of-five Central Division Semi Final Series. The Gladiators dropped Game #2, 4-3 before bouncing back in Game #3 at home with a 6-3 win over Mississippi to take a two-games-to-one series lead.

Double Dose: Forward Kris Goodjohn tallied two goals in Game #3 to help the Gladiators past the Mississippi Sea Wolves. It was the third two-goal game for the rookie forward out of Union College. Goodjohn scored his first two goals of the regular season in the same game and recorded his first two goals of the post season in the same game.

Power Play Defensemen: Rick Emmett leads all defensemen in the post season in power play goals scored with 2. The Defenseman scored in both games in Mississippi for Gwinnett. Emmett tallied 7 of his 12 goals during the regular season on the man advantage.

On a Roll: Chris Durno and Kris Goodjohn have each recorded at least one point in each of the Gladiators three playoff games. Durno tallied the game winning overtime goal in Game #1 and added an assist in Game #2 before scoring the first goal of Game #3 for the Gladiators. Goodjohn recorded an assist in Game #1 and chipped in two goals for Gwinnett in Game #2 before scoring twice for the Gladiators in their Game #3 win.

Third Liners? Kris Goodjohn, Steve Slonina and Chris Durno ended the regular season as the Gladiators go-to guys down the stretch. In the playoffs, the three have combined to record 11 of the Gladiators 27 points in the playoffs and both game winning goals for the Gladiators.

Man Advantage Goals: The Gladiators tallied three power play goals in Friday's 4-3 loss at Mississippi in Game 2. It was the sixth time this season that the Gladiators have tallied three or more goals on the power play this season. Gwinnett is currently ranked #3 in the post season on the man advantage converting on 26.7% of their power play opportunities.

Power Play Helpers: Anthony Aquino and Kris Goodjohn have each picked up two assists on the power play for the Gladiators in the post season, the most among rookies in the ECHL. Aquino and Goodjohn each had power play assists in both Game #1 and Game #2 for the Gladiators.

Playoff White Out: Wear something white to all of the Gladiators playoff games this post season – a white jersey, white blouse, and white tee-shirt and help the Gladiators "white out" the Arena at Gwinnett Center and their opponents.

Last Week's Games:

Game #1, April 7th, Gladiators 2, Mississippi 1 (OT) – W

Chris Durno tallied the game winning overtime goal with 3:48 remaining in the first overtime session to give the Gladiators a 2-1 win in their first ever playoff game. Rick Emmett tallied the game's first goal on the power play in the second period while Michael Garnett recorded 37 saves in the overtime win including 16 saves in the third period. With the win, Gwinnett takes a 1-0 series lead in the Central Division Semi Final.

Game #2, April 9th, Mississippi 4, Gladiators 3 – L

The Gladiators tallied all three goals on the power play but it wasn't enough to overcome the Sea Wolves as they tied the series at a game apiece. Mississippi tallied two goals on weird bounces off of seams in the glass and scored the game winner with just 23 seconds left in the third period. Michael Garnett made 35 saves in the loss while Rick Emmett, Blue Bennefied and Jim Jackson scored for the Gladiators. Kris Goodjohn had two assists for Gwinnett in the loss.

Game #3, April 10th, Gladiators 6, Mississippi 3 – W

Steve Slonina tallied the game winner for the Gladiators shorthanded late in the second period. Kris Goodjohn gave the Gladiators the only two-goal advantage of the series with his second of two goals in the contest while Chris Durno added a goal and an assist for Gwinnett in the win. Michael Garnett recorded 38 saves for the Gladiators who take a 2-games-to-1 series lead of their best-of-five series.

This Week's Games:

Game #4, vs. Mississippi, 7:35 p.m. @ Arena at Gwinnett Center

Game #5, @ Mississippi, 8:05 p.m. @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum*

*if necessary

The Gladiators lead the best-of-five central division semi-final 2-games-to-1 following victories last week in games 1 & 3. Kris Goodjohn lead the Gladiators in scoring in the series with 5 points off of two goals and 3 assists while Michael Garnett has started all three playoff games for the Gladiators posting a 2.45 goals against average in the series. Gwinnett has been able to neutralize Steffon Walby in the series, as the veteran has not tallied a point in the first three games of the series. Walby finished the regular season in scoring with 88 points, good for 2nd in the ECHL in points scored. Sergei Kuznetsov leads all players in the series with 6 points off of 2 goals and 4 assists.

This Week's Practice Schedule:

Monday: Game #4 vs. Mississippi

Tuesday: TBD

Wednesday: Game #5 @ Mississippi (if necessary)

Thursday: TBD

Friday: TBD

Saturday: TBD

Sunday: TBD

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