ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on January 2, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Still Streaking! Brad Schell collected a goal and an assist in Saturday night's 7-4 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots to push his point-scoring streak to 15 consecutive games. His 15 game scoring streak is currently the longest on-going point streak in the ECHL and it is the longest point-scoring streak of his career. Schell surpassed his previous career high 13-game point scoring streak when the forward had at least a point in each game for the Gladiators from February 25th to March 25th of last year finishing that streak with 3 goals and 21 assists for 24 points. Schell has 8 goals and 24 assists for 31 points during his current 15 game streak. A point in Thursday's game at Augusta would move Schell into a tie for the longest point scoring streak of the season at 16 games.

Still in the Lead! Forward Brad Schell continues to pick up points for the Gladiators as the third year pro posted a goal and two assists for Gwinnett in Saturday night's 7-4 win against the Ice Pilots. Schell now has 46 assists on the year and 60 points to lead the ECHL in scoring this season. The third year pro sits 14 points ahead of teammate Scott Mifsud in the top spot in the ECHL. Schell currently has 14 goals and 46 assists on the season for Gwinnett.

To 20! Colton Fretter collected his 20th goal of the season for the Gladiators in Friday night's 8-5 loss to the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Fretter becomes the fastest Gladiator to record 20 goals in a season and the 17th player in Gladiators history to collect 20 goals in a season. Fretter's 20 goals currently ranks first among rookies while he ranks second among goal scorers in the ECHL.

On the Power Play! Jon Awe posted his league leading 13th power play goal of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Less than half way through the season, Awe is just 3 power play goals shy of tying the ECHL record among defensemen for most power play goals in a season. Chris Valicevic of the Louisiana IceGators during the 1995-96 season and Joe Cook of the Columbus Chill during the 1993-94 season share the ECHL record among defensemen posting 16 power play goals during their respective seasons.

Capitalizing! Gladiators forward Scott Mifsud posted a penalty shot goal for the Gladiators in Friday night's 8-5 loss at Pensacola. Mifsud becomes the first Gladiator in team history to record a successful penalty shot during a regular season game. Dating back to the team's time in Mobile as the Mysticks, Mifsud's opportunity was the organization's 8th penalty shot for, and the first successful penalty shot during the regular season. Players that had missed penalty shots for the organization include Jason Elders twice, Steve Suk, Jason Smith, Cam Brown, Chris Durno and Jeff Campbell. Milan Gajic recorded a successful penalty shot for Gwinnett during post season play against the Florida Everblades during the Division Finals in Game 3 last year.

On the Power Play! The Gladiators posted three power play goals in back to back games this weekend on Friday and Saturday night against the Ice Pilots. Gwinnett has now recorded three or more power play goals in 10 games this season while recording 21 multiple power play goal games this season. The Gladiators multiple power play goal games have helped the Gladiators rank first in the ECHL on the man advantage while posting a league leading 60 power play goals.

CD Case Night! Friday, December 5th when the Gladiators host the Johnstown Chiefs for the first time in team history is the Gladiators first ever CD case night for the first 2,000 fans ages 10 and over. The Gladiators CD Case night is sponsored by the US Army and WDUN, News Talk 550.

Last Week's Games:

December 27th, Columbia 5, Gwinnett 3 - L

The Gladiators couldn't hold a 3-1 lead in the third period and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Inferno. Columbia scored first just 9 seconds into the contest but two goals by Brad Schell early in the third period regained the lead for Gwinnett. Jon Awe added his 13th goal of the season to put Gwinnett up by two goals. Columbia rattled off the next four goals for the win. Scott Mifsud posted two assists in the loss, the first time this season that Gwinnett lost in regulation when the forward collected two or more points. Dave Caruso finished with 20 saves in the loss while Gwinnett went 2-for-8 on the power play.

December 29th, Pensacola 8, Gwinnett 5 - L

Colton Fretter posted his 20th goal of the season in the loss while Brad Schell recorded an assist to push his point-scoring streak to 14 consecutive games but the Gladiators could not pull out the win. Scott Mifsud posted a penalty shot goal in the loss for Gwinnett midway through the second period. Fretter and Mifsud each finished with a goal and an assist in the loss for Gwinnett. Mike Vigilante, Jim Jackson and Jon Awe each finished with a goal for Gwinnett. Dan Turple finished with 25 saves while Gwinnett went 3-11 on the power play.

December 30th, Gwinnett 7, Pensacola 4 - W

The Gladiators posted seven goals through the first two periods and held on the for 7-4 win over the Ice Pilots. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first period, Gwinnett tied the game up at one on Chad Painchaud's 8th goal of the season and then the Gladiators got goals from Jamie Milam, Brad Schell and Blue Bennefield within 69 seconds of each other to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Second period tallies by Jon Awe, Bruce Mulherin and Scott Mifsud rounded out the scoring for Gwinnett. Pensacola added three goals in the third period but it was too little too late. Dave Caruso made 35 saves for the Gladiators in the win as the Gladiators went 3-6 on the power play.

This Week's Games:

Thursday, January 4th, @ Augusta Lynx, 7:35 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

Gwinnett lost the last meeting against the Lynx, 5-4, in Augusta on December 22nd. Gwinnett went scorless on the power play in the loss while allowing 4 power play goals on 8 chances for Augusta. Gwinnett is 2-2-1 overall against the Lynx while the Gladiators are 1-2-0 at Augusta this season.

Friday, January 5th, vs. Johnstown Chiefs, 7:35 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

This is the first meeting in team history between the only remaining original team in the ECHL and the Gladiators. Johnstown won the only meeting in organizational history as the Chiefs defeated the Mobile Mysticks 8-3 on February 1, 1997 in Johnstown.

Saturday, January 6th, @ Pensacola Ice Pilots, 8:05 p.m. - wdun.com

Pensacola won the first meeting of the season at the Pensacola Civic Center 8-5 on December 29th. Gwinnett leads the season series against the Ice Pilots with a 2-1-0 record after last Saturday's 7-4 win over Pensacola. Brad Schell's 9 points off of 2 goals and 7 assists leads all players in scoring among both teams in the series this season.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on Thursday, January 4th as they travel to Augusta to take on the Lynx 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 January 2, 2007


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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