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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

March 21, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Picking up a Pair: Gladiators forward Mike Vigilante recorded two goals for the Gladiators in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Charlotte Checkers. Vigilante now ranks second in goals scored on the Gladiators with 25 goals, just one shy of rookie forward Jeff Campbell who has 26 goals on the season. It was the fifth time this season that Vigilante has posted 2 goals in a game.

From the West: The Gladiators signed forward Pat Dwyer on Thursday out of Western Michigan University. Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Dwyer comes to the Gladiators after completing his senior collegiate season. Dwyer is –1 in the past three games for the Gladiators.

Adding a Helper: Gladiators rookie forward Brad Schell posted his 32nd assist of the season in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Charlotte Checkers. Schell ranks 5th in assists this season among ECHL rookies and ranks among the top 20 in scoring among rookies with 42 points on the season.

On Top: The Gladiators continue to rank 1st overall in the ECHL in the penalty kill. Columbia went 0-for-3 on the power play while the Gladiators have not allowed a power play goal in their past 4 games killing off 17 consecutive opponents power plays. This season, the Gladiators have successfully killed off 88.2% of opponents' power plays.

Shots rang out: The Gladiators tied a team low for shots in a period posting 3 in the first period of Saturday night's 4-3 shootout win over the Charlotte Checkers. The Gladiators posted 3 shots in the 3rd period against the Mississippi Sea Wolves back on October 30th. Very uncharacteristic of the Gladiators who lead the ECHL in shots on goal averaging over 39 shots per game.

On the Road: The Gladiators begin their longest road trip of the season on Monday heading out to the west coast for five games in six days. Gwinnett heads out to battle Fresno on Tueaday, Long Beach on Wednesday, Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday and finishing out the week in San Diego on Sunday.

Last Week's Games: 1-3-0, 2 pts.

March 15th, South Carolina 4, Gladiators 3 – L

South Carolina jumped out to a 1-0 lead before the end of the first period and extended their lead to 2-0 before Mike Vigilante got the Gladiators on the board. Andrew Oke tied the game up at 2-2 before South Carolina regained the lead later in the second period. Lane Manson scored the Gladiators final goal of the contest tying up the game at 3-3 after two period. South Carolina scored the game winner midway through the third period as Sean Fields made 33 saves in the loss. Mike Stathopoulos, Jeff Campbell and Peter Flache picked up assists in the loss for Gwinnett.

March 18th, Mississippi 1, Gladiators 0 – L

Mississippi scored the game's only goal 2 minutes into the third period on a deflection in front of the net. Adam Berkhoel made 32 saves in the loss for Gwinnett as the Gladiators out shot the Sea Wolves 43-33. Adam Smyth posted a team high 7 penalty minutes in the loss.

March 19th, Gladiators 4, Charlotte 3 – SOW

After falling behind 2-0 after the first period, Mike Vigilante on the power play got the Gladiators on the board. Peter Flache tied the game up 30 seconds later on a great play by Brad Schell scooping up a loose puck in the neutral zone an feeding Flache in the slot. Chartlotte took a 3-2 late in the third period but Mike Vigilante's second goal of the night tied the game up at 3-3. with just 1.7 seconds left in the third period to send the game to overtime. Jeff Campbell and Rick Emmett posted shootout goals for the win while Sean Fields turned aside 4 of 5 Charlotte shooters and made 22 saves in the win.

March 20th, Columbia 4, Gladiators 1 - L

Mike Stathopoulos scored the Gladiators only goal three minutes into the second period to tie the game up at one, but Columbia bounced back with two goals before the end of the second period to take a 3-1 lead. The Inferno added an empty net goal to extend their lead to 4-1. Lane Manson and Cam Brown both picked up assists on the Gladiators only goal. The Gladiators penalty kill was perfect for the fourth consecutive game as Columbia went 0-for-3 on the man advantage.

This Week's Games

Tuesday, March 22nd, @ Fresno Falcons, 10:00 p.m. – WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators make their first regular season road trip to the west coast and this game marks the first ever meeting for the Gladiators and the Falcons. Fresno is currently in 5th place in the Northern Conference's West division, one point out of a playoff spot behind the Idaho Steelheads.

Wednesday, March 23rd, @ Long Beach Ice Dogs, 10:00 p.m. – WDUN News Talk 550

This game is the Gladiators first meeting in history against the Ice Dogs. Long Beach is currently in 3rd place in the Western Division and is led in scoring by Evan Cheverie with 56 points on the season.

Friday, March 25th, @ Bakersfield Condors, 10:00 p.m. – WDUN News Talk 550 & Saturday, March 26th, @ Bakersfield Condors, 10:00 p.m. – WDUN News Talk 550

The Gladiators face the Condors for the first time in team history in back-to-back meetings on Friday and Saturday night. Bakersfield currently shares first in the West Division while Kevin St. Jacques' 54 points leads the Condors in scoring while Vlad Serov has a team leading 10 power play goals on the year.

Sunday, March 27th, @ San Diego Gulls, 8:00 p.m. – wdun.com

The final game of the Gladiators five game road trip is the first all time meeting for the Gladiators against the San Diego Gulls. San Diego is currently in 6th place in the Western Conference.

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: Travel Day to California
Tuesday: game @ Fresno
Wednesday: game @ Long Beach
Thursday: Travel Day to Bakersfield
Friday: Game @ Bakersfield
Saturday: Game @ Bakersfield
Sunday: Game @ San Diego

The Central Division Champion Gwinnett Gladiators continue their second season on the road on Tuesday, March 22nd at Fresno against the Falcons. 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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