ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

February 20, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Record Setting Pace - Forward Jeff Campbell posted his 23rd and 24th goals of the season for the Gladiators in Friday's 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades. Campbell is currently on pace to set a new career high for goals in a season surpassing his previous high of 30 set last year. Campbell is also on pace to set a new Gladiators team record for most goals in a season snapping the mark of 33 set by Kevin Doell during the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season. Campbell is currently on pace to finish the season with 34 goals as he is averaging .47 goals per game this year.

Not so perfect - Gladiators forward Brad Schell recorded his 15th multiple point game this season in the Gladiators 6-5 loss at Augusta on Tuesday night. It was the second consecutive game the Gladiators lost when the Scott, Saskatchewan native recorded more than one point in a contest. Prior to the Gladiators 5-3 loss in South Carolina on February 11th where Schell posted 3 assists, Gwinnett was a perfect 13-0-0 when he recorded more than one point in a game.

On the Power Play - Despite being held off the board on the man advantage over the weekend against the Florida Everblades, the Gladiators 77 power play goals have helped Gwinnett claimed the top spot in the ECHL on the man advantage. If Gwinnett keeps its pace of 1.51 power play goals per game, the Gladiators would finish the season with approximately 109 power play goals on the year which would rank 3rd all time in the ECHL for most power play goals in a season, just 6 tallies behind the Nashville Knights record of 115 set during the 1995-96 season. Gwinnett finished last year with 58 power play markers while they posted 63 during the 2003-04 season.

Another up to the A! Forward Milan Gajic was called up to the American Hockey League over the weekend becoming the 13th player called up to the AHL this season and the third player called up to the Providence Bruins. Gajic began the season with Providence appearing in 13 games with the Burins recording an assists. He currently ranks 10th in rookie scoring in the ECHL with 20 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in just 28 games this season with the Gladiators.

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

February 14th, Augusta 6, Gladiators 5 - L

Milan Gajic had two goals for Gwinnett while Brad Schell recorded a goal and two assists for Gwinnett in the Gladiators second loss in three games. Gwinnett led by two goals twice in the contest but could hold the lead in their third loss in three tries in Augusta. Matt York posted two assists while Jeff Campbell had a goal and an assist for Gwinnett. Cam Brown had Gwinnett's other tally as the Gladiators gave up the game winning goal with just 8 seconds left in the third period. Sean Fields made 25 saves in the loss.

February 17th, Gladiators 3, Florida 2 - W

Florida opened the scoring with a tally 1:55 into the second period before the Gladiators got on the scoreboard with two tallies off the stick of Jeff Campbell, first to tie the game at one and then to take the lead. His second tally came unassisted and shorthanded for Gwinnett. Derek Nesbitt had the Gladiators other goal in the win as Florida cut in the lead with a third period goal. Milan Gajic recorded two assists in the win while Adam Berkhoel made 21 saves for the Gladiators.

February 18th, Florida 3, Gladiators 2 - SOL

Gwinnett remains winless in the shootout after the Everblades bested Gwinnett in the shootout session, the sixth loss of the season for the Gladiators in the shootout. Derek Nesbitt's goal at the 15:19 mark of the third period tied the game up at two and eventually sent the game into overtime and then a shootout. Scott Kelman opened the scoring in the contest in the first period before Florida tied the game up before the first intermission. Florida took the lead half way through the third before Nesbitt was able to tie the game. Gwinnett went scoreless for the second consecutive game on the power play, the first time this season that they have been held scoreless on the man advantage in consecutive games. Adam Berkhoel made a season high 41 saves in the shootout loss.

This Week's Games:

Friday, February 24th @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - wdun.com

Saturday, February 25th, @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - wdun.com

Gwinnett gained just one point over the weekend against the second place Florida Everblades to remain in the top spot in the American Conference. Florida won Sunday and closed the gap to 7 points and the Everblades can make the difference 5 points with a win Tuesday. Regulation wins in these two games could draw the difference to just a point while the Gladiators could push the division lead back to 11 points with regulation wins. Gwinnett is now 5-2-1 this season against the Everblades while these two teams will meet one more time after this set of games in Gwinnett on April 4th.

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: 1:10 - 2:40 p.m., Ice Forum, Duluth

Wednesday: 12:10 - 1:40 p.m., Ice Forum, Duluth

Thursday: Practice in Florida

Friday: Game @ Florida, 7:30 PM

Saturday: Game @ Florida, 7:30 PM

Sunday: day off

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue the 2005-06 ECHL season on the road as they travel to Florida to take on the Everblades on Friday, February 24th at 7:30 p.m. 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 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.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 20, 2006


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