ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on December 11, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Up and Back! Defenseman Jon Awe made his first trip to the American Hockey League over the weekend as he was called up to the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins on Friday. The Memphis, Tennessee native appeared in two games with the Penguins but did not record a point while helping Wilkes Barre earn three of a possible four points over the weekend. Awe was back with the Gladiators on Sunday and posted an assist in Gwinnett's 6-5 loss to Florida.

Still in the Lead! Gladiators forward Brad Schell collected a goal and an assist in last night's 6-5 loss to the Florida Everblades. For Schell, it was his 9th goal and 32nd assist of the season pushing his ECHL leading total to 41 points on the season. The third year pro sits five points ahead of the Nailers Sean Collins and six points ahead of teammate Scott Mifsud in the top spot in the ECHL. Schell currently has 9 goals and 32 assists on the season for Gwinnett.

Blanked! Dave Caruso made 30 saves in Saturday night's 1−0 win over the Augusta Lynx to record his first professional shutout. The Roswell, Georgia native posted 5 shutouts last season during his senior season at the Ohio State University. He finished his collegiate career with 9 shutouts. He becomes the second Gladiator netminder this season to post a shutout as Dan Turple made 24 saves in a 4−0 win over the Columbia Inferno on October 28th. Caruso becomes the seventh Gladiators goaltender all time to post a shutout while with Gwinnett.

Eight in a Row! Brad Schell has collected at least one point for the Gladiators in each of Gwinnett's past eight games. His eight game point scoring streak is currently the longest point scoring streak on Gwinnett and his longest of the season. With a goal and an assist in last night's 6-5 loss to Florida, Schell has collected 3 goals and 10 assists during his current streak. Schell's longest point scoring streak of his career is 13 games when he posted at least one point in each game with the Gladiators from February 25th to March 25th of last year finishing with 3 goals and 21 assists for 24 points.

Into the Lead! Colton Fretter posted the only goal in the Gladiators 1−0 win over the Augusta Lynx on Saturday night. For Fretter, it was his 16 goal of the season pushing him into a tie for most goals in the ECHL. He shares first in goals with Trenton's Mike Pandolfo and Texas' Kevin Baker. Fretter's 16 goals is tops among ECHL rookies and is trailed in second by Trenton's John Laliberte who has 10 markers on the year among rookies.

Making a Difference: Scott Mifsud has been playing a key role for the Gladiators this season. The forward has recorded 10 multiple point games for Gwinnett helping the Gladiators go 8−0−2 in those games. When the Burlington, Ontario native has been kept scoreless this season, Gwinnett has posted a 2−4−1 record on the year. Mifsud currently ranks third overall in the ECHL in scoring with 35 points off of 9 goals and 26 assists.

Hat Trick For Reading: The Gladiators 1st Middle School Hat Trick for Reading Nights are Friday, December 15th and Sunday, December 17th. Students at local area Middle schools had the opportunity to earn a pair of tickets to their respective game by completing the program. Gwinnett County students will be able to redeem their certificates to the Gladiators December 15th game while Surrounding Metro Counties will be able to redeem their certificates on December 17th.

Last Week's Games:

December 8th, Gladiators 6, Augusta 4 - W

Bryan Dobek scored his first goal with the Gladiators 1:22 into the third period for what proved to be the game winner for Gwinnett. Jamie Milam posted an insurance goal for the Gladiators midway through the third and also had an assist in the win. Gwinnett led 2-0 and 3-2 before Augusta took a 4-3 lead late in the second period. A goal by Scott Mifsud, who finished with a team high three points (1g, 2a), tied the game at four late in the third to set up Dobek's marker. Scott Lehman, Andy Contois and Brad Schell each finished with two assists in the win while Matt York, Colton Fretter and Chad Painchaud each collected a goal for Gwinnett in the win. The Gladiators had 4 goals on the power play while out shooting the Lynx 43-39. Dave Caruso won his second straight game making 35 saves for the Gladiators.

December 9th, Gladiators 1, Augusta 0 - W

Colton Fretter scored the only goal of the game on the power play in the 1-0 win. It came at the 15:59 mark of the second period. Brad Schell and Scott Mifsud posted the assist on the marker. Dave Caruso finished with 30 saves in the win for Gwinnett as he posted his first professional shutout for Gwinnett. The Gladiators went 1-4 on the power play while being out shot in the win by a 30-29 margin.

December 10th, Florida 6, Gladiators 5 - L Mike Vigilante posted a pair of first period goals book ending two Florida first period goals but the Everblades answered with four second period goals within the first 10 minutes of the period to put the game away. Gwinnett mounted a comeback beginning late in the second period with a goal by Scott Mifsud. Brad Schell and Joel Stepp each scored in the third period to get Gwinnett within a marker, but the Gladiators could not punch another goal home. Colton Fretter finished with two assists while six players finished with an assist including Schell. Dave Caruso made 19 saves in the loss while the Gladiators went 3-for-9 on the power play.

This Week's Games:

Friday, December 15th vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

This game marks the first of 10 meetings between the Gladiators and the Ice Pilots this season. Gwinnett leads the all time series against the Ice Pilots by a 13-2-2 mark. Gwinnett was 11-0-1 last year against the Ice Pilots and a perfect 6-0-0 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Gladiators only loss to the Ice Pilots at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in team history came back during the Gladiators inaugural season.

Sunday, December 17th vs. Charlotte Checkers, 4:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

This game marks the fifth meeting of the season between the Gladiators and Checkers with the Gladiators winning the last meeting, 8-2, on Thanksgiving at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Gwinnett is 2-2-0 against Charlotte this season. Following this game, the Gladiators will not face the Checkers again until February 18th at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 4:05 p.m.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on December 15th as they host the Pensacola Ice Pilots on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.

The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.

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ECHL Stories from December 11, 2006


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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