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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

December 19, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Top Spot! The Gladiators won three games this past week to move into the top spot in the ECHL American Conference with 34 points on the season and is in first place in the South Division. Pee Dee sits in second place in the conference, 2 points behind the Gladiators with 32 points overall. Pee Dee, with one fewer game played than Gwinnett, is at Columbia on Tuesday.

Can I Help You? Peter Flache had his consecutive game assist streak snapped in the Gladiators 5-2 loss on Saturday at Greenville. The forward quietly tallied an assist in 8 straight games for the Gladiators from December 4th through December 17th. His assist streak ties a Gladiator team high for consecutive games with at least one assist at 8 games, tying Kris Goodjohn who also recorded an assist in 8 consecutive games for the Gladiators.

To the AHL! The Gladiators had two players called up to the American Hockey League this past week. On Tuesday, the Gladiators leading goal scorer Brett Engelhardt was called up to the St. John's Maple Leafs. The Sheboygan, WI native attended the Maple Leafs training camp before coming to the Gladiators. Engelhardt was scoreless for St John's over the weekend in two games. On Saturday, defenseman Ryan Van Buskirk was called up to the Gladiators AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. Van Buskirk did not register a point for the Wolves on Saturday night.

In the Pros! Dave McCulloch tallied his first professional goal in the Gladiators 3-1 win over the Columbia Inferno on Friday night. McCulloch has now posted 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points with the Gladiators. McCulloch registered a goal and 3 assists for 4 points last season with Harvard University.

On the Power Play: The Gladiators got the power play going this week with 7 goals on the man advantage. Gwinnett scored all three goals in the power play in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Louisiana IceGators and recorded both goals in Saturday's 5-2 loss at Greenville on the power play. This season, the Gladiators have converted on 20.7 % of their power play opportunities and scored 23 power play goals

Last Week's Games: 3-1-0, 6 pts.

December 14th, Gladiators 4, Louisiana 2 – W

Chris Durno scored a pair of goals while Sean Fields made a season high 42 saves to lead the Gladiators over the Louisiana IceGators on Tuesday night. Mike Vigilante opened the scoring with the games' only goal in the first period on the power play. Jeff Campbell extended the Gladiators lead to two goals midway through the second period as Durno capped the scoring for the Gladiators. Louisiana twice cut the Gladiators lead to a goal but could not equalize the contest. Gwinnett improves to 10-0-2 when Durno tallies a point in a Gladiators game while Gwinnett was without leading goal-scorer Brett Engelhardt who was called up to the St. John's Maple Leafs of the AHL.

December 15th, Gladiators 3, Louisiana 1 – W

The Gladiators scored all three goals on the power play in the win. Mike Stathopoulos recorded his third goal of the season to open the scoring while Adam Smyth tallied the game winner later in the opening period. Jim Jackson closed the scoring in the third period for Gwinnett. Sean Fields made 16 saves to record his 4th win of the season. Six different players picked up helpers in the win for Gwinnett.

December 17th, Gladiators 3, Columbia 1 – W

Lane Manson scored the game winner late in the first period after Dave McCulloch opened the scoring with his first professional goal and his first goal of the season. Adam Smyth picked up the Gladiators final goal midway through the second period before Columbia got on the board. Peter Flache tallied an assist in the win to push his consecutive assist streak to 8 games tying a team record for most consecutive games with an assist. Sean Fields won his third consecutive game making 25 saves in the victory.

December 18th Greenville 5, Gladiators 2 – L

Greenville opened up a 4-0 lead before Jim Jackson tallied the Gladiators first goal on the power play half way through the third period. Kris Goodjohn recorded the Gladiators other goal, another power play tally with 1:26 left in the game. Sean Fields made 20 saves in the loss, snapping a 3 game win streak for Gwinnett. Adam Smyth, Joe Bourne and Brad Schell picked up assists for the Gladiators in the loss. Peter Flache had his assist streak snapped at 8 games, as the forward did not record an assist in the contest.

This Week's Games

Sunday, December 26th, vs. Columbia, 7:05 p.m. – wdun.com

A special holiday 7:05 p.m. Sunday start time as the Gladiators host the Columbia Inferno for the second time this season at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. It's Team Trading Card Night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, as the first 2,000 fans will receive a Gladiators trading card poster sponsored by GMAC Financial Services, The Gwinnett Daily Post and Kicks 101.5 FM. Gwinnett leads the season series, 2-1-0 after a 3-1 win on Friday night. Gwinnett has out scored Columbia 9-7 overall this season and have won the only overtime game this season between the two teams.

This Week's Practice Schedule: Practices at the IceForum in Duluth are open to the general public. Arena at Gwinnett Center practices are not open to the general public. Media members wishing to attend practice at the Arena should contact the Gladiators PR staff at 770-497-5106.

Monday: day off
Tuesday: day off
Wednesday: day off
Thursday: day off
Friday: day off
Saturday: Happy Holidays! (day off)
Sunday: Game vs. Columbia, 7:05 p.m.

The Central Division Champion Gwinnett Gladiators continue their second season on Sunday, December 26th at 7:05 p.m. as they host the Columbia Inferno. The Gladiators offer several ticket packages for different needs as well as group outings, suites and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to www.gwinnettgladiators.com. The Gladiators play all 36 home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center located on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth and are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.

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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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