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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

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


Keep Adding to it! The Gladiators set a new franchise record for win in a season and points in a season when they beat the Charlotte Checkers 4-3 on Saturday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The win was the Gladiators 43rd of the year helping Gwinnett record 93 points on the season. Gwinnett snapped both records (wins - 42; points - 92) originally set during the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season.

First to 30: Guillaume Desbiens posted his 30th goal of the season in the Gladiators 3-2 Friday night in Greenville. The Alma, PQ native becomes the first Gladiator to reach 30 goals this season and becomes just the 4th Gladiator all time to post 30 goals in one season joining Kevin Doell (33; ‘03-‘04), Mike Vigilante (30; '04-'05) and Jeff Campbell (30; '04-'05).

Within reach: Gladiators forward Jeff Campbell is just 11 points shy of tying the franchise record for most points in a season. Campbell is chasing Jason Elders' mark of 88 points set during the 1999-2000 season with the Mobile Mysticks. Campbell has averaged 1.3 points per game this season for Gwinnett. Prior to his call up to the AHL, he was on pace to finish the season with 93 points, six points past Jason Elder's record.

Almost to 50: Forward Brad Schell needs three assists for 50 on the season while forward Jeff Campbell is just two helpers shy of the 50 assist mark. They would become the first players on the Gladiators to reach the 50 assists this year. The Scott, Saskatchewan native picked up 39 assists last year during his rookie campaign and currently has 47 this season. Campbell has matched a career high for assists in a season and has he currently has 48 on the year tying his previous high set during rookie campaign last year.

In flux: Gladiators forward Brad Schell is in striking distance to set a new Gladiators team record for best plus minus ranking in one season. Schell is currently a +29 though 52 games this season with the Gladiators. Jim Jackson set the Gladiators record for best plus minus ranking in one season during Gwinnett's inaugural 2003-04 season posting a +34 rating in 70 games with the Gladiators. Defenseman Jeff Dwyer and forward Jeff Campbell are not far behind Schell sharing second on the Gladiators with a +26 rating.

Kelly Cup Playoffs Update: With a Kelly Cup Playoff berth already wrapped up, the Gladiators need just 5 points to clinch a first round bye in the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs. With 5 points, Gwinnett would prevent Greenville from passing the Gladiators and leave Florida as the only team still within striking distance. Gwinnett needs 10 points on the Everblades to clinch the Division.

Gladiators Team Card Set 2: Friday, March 24th is the Gladiators second team trading card night of the season when the Gladiators host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 7:35 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive set 2 of the Gladiators team trading cards. ‘Set 2' of Gladiators team trading cards is sponsored by All Service Termite and Pest Control, The Gwinnett Daily Post and B98.5FM. The Gladiators gave away ‘Set 1' of the team card set on Tuesday, December 27th.

Kroger Family Sunday: Sunday, March 26th when the Gladiators host the South Carolina Stingrays at 4:05 p.m. is the third and final Kroger Family Sunday this year. Fans can get 4 selected section premium level tickets, 2 caps, 2 programs and a coupon good for a 4 piece chicken dinner at Kroger all for only $40. Log on to www.gwinnettgladiators.com for more information.

Last Week's Games:

Friday, March 17th, Greenville 3, Gladiators 2 - L

Greenville snapped the Gladiators 8-game winning streak with the 3-2 loss. Gwinnett jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the first period on goals by Guillaume Desbiens and Steve Slaton. Greenville scored the only goals in the second period and the only goals they would need for the win. Gwinnett finished 1-for-6 on the power play in the contest. Joel Stepp collected two assists for Gwinnett in the loss while Desbiens goal in the first was his 30th of the year. Adam Berkhoel made 24 saves in the loss.

Saturday, March 18th, Gladiators 4, Charlotte 3 - W

Gwinnett opened up a 2-0 lead after the opening period on goals by Cam Brown and Brad Schell while Matt York pushed Gwinnett's lead to 3-0 early in the second period. Charlotte got on the board with a shorthanded tally to make it 3-1 before Adam Smyth scored what proved to be the game winner half way through the second period. Charlotte scored twice more but couldn't get any closer. Gwinnett set a franchise record for points in a season with 93 and wins in a season with their 43rd of the year.

Next Week's Games:

Wed., March 22nd, @ Charlotte Checkers, 7:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550 (tent)

Gwinnett won the last meeting on Saturday night by a 4-3 score. Gwinnett continues to lead the season series against Charlotte by a 7-0-1 record while outscoring the Checkers by a 31-19 margin. Guillaume Desbiens' 10 points is tops against the Checkers while Sean Fields has posted a perfect 4-0-0 record this season against Charlotte.

Fri., March 24th, vs., Pensacola Ice Pilots, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

Sat., March 25th, @ Pensacola Ice Pilots, 8:05 p.m. - wdun.com

Gwinnett is still unbeaten against the Ice Pilots this year with a 9-0-1 record in ten meeting this year. The Gladiators have more than doubled up on the Ice Pilots posting 50 goals against Pensacola and only giving up 21 goals this season. Sean Fields has recorded one of his three shutouts this season against the Ice Pilots.

Sun., March 26th, vs. South Carolina Stingrays, 4:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550 (tent)

Gwinnett leads the season series with a 4-2-0 record after a come-from-behind win over the Stingrays on March 12th. In those six games, the Gladiators and the Stingrays have combined to post 54 goals on the year with Gwinnett owing a 29-25 margin. Jeff Campbell and Brad Schell have each posted 9 points against the Stingrays while Ryan Finnerty's 8 points leads the Stingrays against the Gladiators this year.

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