ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators weekly update

November 14, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Record Crowd! The Gladiators recorded their first sellout of the season with a crowd of 11,355 on Friday night and followed that up with a crowd of 8,608 on Saturday night as the Gladiators defeated the Florida Everblades in both games. Friday's sellout was the third sellout in team history while the combined weekend crowd of 19,963 set a team record for largest combined weekend (Friday-Saturday, Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Sunday) crowd in team history. The Gladiators previous combined weekend record of 14,490 was set during the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season on Friday, January 16th (6,852) and Saturday January 17th (7,638).

Moving Up:

Chris Durno posted three goals for the Gladiators over the weekend with a goal in Friday's win and two goals in Saturday's win. Ranking 13th all time on the Gladiators in career goals scored with 40 entering the season, Durno now has 47 goals on the year and shares 9th with B.J. Kilbourne for most goals in a Mobile/Gwinnett career. The Scarborough, Ontario native needs just 3 goals for 50 in his career while another 8 goals will move him into sole possession of 5th place all time for goals in a Mobile/Gwinnett career. Jason Elders holds the team record for career goals with 226 in seven seasons with the Mysticks in Mobile.

Still Unbeaten:

Making a season high 40 saves in the Gladiators 3-1 win over the Florida Everblades on Saturday night, Gladiators netminder Sean Fields continues to remain unbeaten on the season with a perfect 5-0-0 record. In five games with the Gladiators, Fields has posted a 1.97 goals against average and a .931 save percentage to rank 3rd in the ECHL in goaltending on the year. Fields was named a runner up for the ECHL Goaltender of the Month award for October.

Streaking Along! With goals in both of the Gladiators wins over the weekend, Left winger Chris Durno extended his goal scoring streak to 6 consecutive games with a goal. His streak of 6 consecutive games with a goal currently leads the ECHL for longest streak of the season to date and longest current ongoing streak to date. Durno's previous career high for most consecutive games with at least one goal was three games, which the winger had accomplished three times during the past two seasons.

Lending a Helping Hand:

Defenseman Troy Milam scored his first goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Florida Everblades to extend his point scoring streak to 6 consecutive games. Milam had posted only assists during his streak entering Saturday's game and has recorded 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points for the Gladiators during his streak. Milam's previous career high for consecutive games with a point was 4 straight games from November 13th to November 19th during his rookie season. He had 1 goal and 5 assists during that streak.

More Firsts:

Rookie defenseman Jon Awe and rookie forward Guillaume Desbiens each picked up their first professional points of the season over the weekend. Desbiens recorded an assists on the Gladiators 5th goal in a 5-2 win over Florida on Friday night while Awe posted an assist on Chris Durno's game winner late in the second period.

On the Power Play:

The Gladiators continue to pick up power play goals posting a man advantage tally in both Friday and Saturday's wins against Florida. The Gladiators have scored at least one power play goal in every game this season - except opening night when the Gladiators were shutout 1-0 in a shootout by the Charlotte Checkers.

Tuesday Night Hockey:

The Gladiators take on the Pensacola Ice Pilots on Tuesday, November 15th at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday's contest is being sponsored by radio station 680 The Fan.

Backpack Night:

Friday, November 18th is Kids Backpack Night sponsored by Peggy Slappey Properties and 104.7 The Fish. The first 2,000 kids ages 12 and under will receive a free Gladiators backpack at the game. Saturday's game is also the first "Fish Family Night" of the 2005-06 season. Listen to 104.7 The Fish beginning on Monday, November 14th for all the details.

Light the Lamp Program:

The Gladiators introduced the Light the Lamp Program last week to benefit the Gladiators foundation for kids. Through the program, fans and corporate partners will have the opportunity to pledge a monetary donation for each home goal that the Gladiators score during the 2005 - 2006 season. The Program allows both businesses and individuals to pledge. All proceeds from the Light the Lamp Program will be donated to the Gladiators Foundation for Kids. Fans and corporate partners can make a pledge at any Gladiators home game at the Customer Information Booth or on the web at www.gwinnettgladiators.com. Peggy Slappey Properties has signed on and will donate $50 for each home goal the Gladiators score this season.

Last Week's Games:

November 11th, Gladiators 5, Florida 2 - W

Steve Slaton scored two goals, including his first of the season, to pace the Gladiators to a 5-2 win over the Everblades. Chris Durno and Troy Milam hooked up in the third period to extend their point scoring streaks to 5 consecutive games. Milam picked up an assist on Durno's goal. Ryan Fultz posted two assists in the win while Danny Eberly scored the game winner early in the third period. Guillaume Desbiens had an assist, his first professional point in the win. Sean Fields improved to 4-0-0 on the year making 19 saves in the win. It was also the Gladiators first sellout of the season with a crowd of 11,355.

November 12th, Gladiators 3, Florida 1 - W

Chris Durno posted a pair of goals, including the game winner, to help the Gladiators past the Florida Everblades. With the goals, Durno extended his point scoring streak to 6 consecutive games. Sean Fields made a season high 40 saves in the win to improve to 5-0-0 on the season for the Gladiators. Troy Milam had his first goal of the season for the Gladiators. Jon Awe posted his first professional point, an assist, in the win. With a crowd of 8,608, the Gladiators set a team record for largest weekend crowd (Friday-Saturday, Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Sunday combination) with 19,963 at the games.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, November 15th, vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 7:35 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators picked up their first win of the season blanking the Ice Pilots 6-0 in the season's first meeting. Pascal Pelletier had 2 goals in the win while Jeff Campbell, Scott Mifsud and Matt York each had 2 assists in the win.

Friday, November 18th, vs. Greenville Grrrowl, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

Greenville won the first meeting on November 5th in Greenville 5-4. Ryan Fultz had 2 assists for the Gladiators in the loss. Greenville leads the season series 1-0-0.

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: 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Arena at Gwinnett Center

Tuesday: Game vs. Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. (pre game skate @ 10 a.m. at Arena)

Wednesday: 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Arena at Gwinnett Center

Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Arena at Gwinnett Center

Friday: Game vs. Greenville, 7:35 p.m. (pre game skate @ 10 a.m. at Arena)

Saturday: - day off

Sunday: - 11:10 p.m. - noon, Ice Forum, Duluth

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ECHL Stories from November 14, 2005


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