Sports stats

ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

January 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


League Leaders! Gladiators forwards Brad Schell and Scott Mifsud rank 1-2 in scoring in the ECHL through 34 games this season for Gwinnett. The pair of forwards have combined to post over 100 points this season for Gwinnett as Schell has collected 15 goals and 50 assists for 65 points on the year for the Gladiators while Mifsud has collected 14 goals and 37 assists for Gwinnett. Mifsud is 4 points ahead of Mike Pandolfo of Trenton who ranks 3rd overall in scoring in the ECHL.

A Blue 50: Gladiators forward Blue Benefield collected a goal for the Gladiators in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots. For Bennefield, it was his 48th career point with Gwinnett and he needs just two points for 50 in his Gladiators career. Bennefield entered the season with 38 points as a Gladiator and now has 10 points on the season.

Two for 50! Mike Vigilante is just two goals shy of 50 in his Gladiators career as he entered the season with 34 goals as a Gladiator. Vigilante posted his 14th goal of the season in the Gladiators 8-5 loss at Pensacola on December 29th. Vigilante would become the second Gladiator this season to reach 50 goals in his Gladiators career joining Brad Schell who had his 50th goal as a Gladiator on December 27th. Vigilante would also join Chris Durno (52) and Jeff Campbell (60) with 50 or more goals in a Gladiators career. Vigilante currently has 72 goals in his ECHL career having played with Mobile, Jackson and Pensacola before joining Gwinnett for the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season.

Put him at the Point! Jon Awe continues to post power play goals for the Gladiators as the defenseman collected his 15th power play goal of the year in Saturday's 6-4 win at Pensacola. Less than half way through the season, Awe is just 1 power play goal 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. Awe's 15 power play goals on the year is tops on the Gladiators and in the ECHL.

On the Power Play! Gwinnett continues to lead the ECHL on the power play as the Gladiators recorded multiple power play goals in each game last week. Gwinnett had 3 goals in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Pensacola Ice Pilots to push their ECHL league leading total to 67 power play goals on the season. Gwinnett has been converting on 26.2% of their power play chances this season.

Teddy Bear Toss Night! Saturday, January 13th is the Gladiators 4th Annual Teddy Bear Toss night when the Gladiators host the Texas Wildcatters on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals and teddy bears to the game and toss them onto the ice following the Gladiators first goal of the game. The bears and stuffed animals collected will be donated to local and national children's charities. Teddy Bear Toss night is sponsored by Kia Mall of Georgia, The Atlanta Journal Constitution - AJC Gwinnett News, Charter Communications, Fox 5 Atlanta and Star 94 FM.

Last Week's Games:

January 4th, Augusta 3, Gwinnett 2 - L

Brad Schell's point scoring streak was halted in the 3-2 loss to the Lynx. Jamie Milam broke a scoreless tie with his 9th goal of the season on the power play midway through the second period for the Gladiators. Augusta scored the next three to take a 3-1 lead to the second intermission. Jim Jackson got Gwinnett within one with 5:19 left in the third period but an extra attacker in favor of netminder Dave Caruso in the final minute couldn't help Gwinnett equalize the contest late in the game. Caruso finished with 19 saves in the loss while Gwinnett went 2-for-7 on the power play.

January 5th, Gwinnett 4, Johnstown 3 - OTW

The Gladiators posted two third period goals to send the game to overtime while Matt York scored the game winning shootout goal for the Gladiators in the 8th round for the victory. Johnstown took a 1-0 lead before Jon Awe posted his 14th power play goal of the season to tie the game at one in the first period. Johnstown regained the lead before the Gladiators tied the game at two on a goal by Chad Painchaud early in the third. The Chiefs answered setting up Brad Schell's tying goal with 1:42 left in the third period. Scott Mifsud finished with two assists in the win for the Gladiators. Turple made 31 saves for the Gladiators in the win.

January 6th, Gwinnett 6, Pensacola 4 - W

Gwinnett took command of the contest with three goals within the first three minutes of the second period. The Gladiators got goals from Joel Stepp, Jamie Milam, Andy Contois, Scott Mifsud, Blue Bennefield and Jon Awe. Awe's goal came on the power play to give him 15 power play goals on the season. Brad Schell finished with three assists in the win for Gwinnett while Turple made 35 saves for the Gladiators in the win. Gwinnett recorded 3 power play goals in the victory.

This Week's Games:

Thursday, January 11th, vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots - 7:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

Gwinnett leads the season series with a 3-1-0 record after defeating the Ice Pilots on Saturday night. Gwinnett hosts Pensacola just two more times on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center this season following this game. Brad Schell leads all players in scoring in the series with 12 points for Gwinnett on the year against the Ice Pilots.

Friday, January 12th, vs. Columbia Inferno - 7:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators won the only meeting this season in Columbia downing the Inferno 3-2 on November 17th at the Carolina Coliseum. The November win helped Gwinnett snap a four game losing skid. Gwinnett has four players who have totaled 8 points or more against the Inferno this season.

Saturday, January 13th, vs. Texas Wildcatters - 7:35 p.m. - WDUN.com

Gwinnett is unbeaten against the Texas Wildcatters in team history at home but are just 1-1-1 this year against Texas following two losses at the Ford Arena in Beaumont in November. Brad Schell and Jeff Campbell, who is currently on recall to Grand Rapids of the AHL, lead the Gladiators in scoring against Texas with 5 points each.

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 to facilitate building access.

Monday: 12:10 - 1:30, Ice Forum Duluth

Tuesday: 10:30 - noon, Arena

Wednesday: 10:30 - noon, Arena

Thursday: game vs. Pensacola

Friday: game @ Columbia

Saturday: game vs. Texas

Sunday: 10:30 - noon, Arena

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on January 11th 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.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 8, 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.

Other Recent Atlanta Gladiators Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central