ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on January 15, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Up and Back! Gladiators defenseman Jon Awe was called up to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League on Saturday morning and missed Gwinnett's 3-2 win over the Wildcatters while on recall. Awe was reassigned to Gwinnett on Sunday and should be in the line up for today's game. Awe joined the Wolves in time for their 6-3 loss against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Awe was held scoreless in the loss while registering a -1 for the Wolves. The Call up was his second of the season as he appeared in two games with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins earlier this season.

Record Breaker! Gladiators defenseman Jon Awe posted his 16th power play goal of the season for the Gladiators in Friday night's 3-1 win over the Columbia Inferno. Awe's power play goal tied the ECHL record for most power play goals by a defenseman in a single 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. One more goal would move Awe in to sole possession of the record as the defenseman's 16 power play goals leads the Gladiators and the ECHL.

A Blue 50: Gladiators forward Blue Benefield notched his 50th point as a Gladiator in Friday night's 3-1 win over the Columbia Inferno. Bennefield had an assist for the Gladiators on the game wining goal for Gwinnett in the second period. Bennefield entered the season with 38 points as a Gladiator and now has 12 points on the season.

League Leaders! Gladiators forwards Brad Schell and Scott Mifsud rank 1-2 in scoring in the ECHL through 37 games this season for Gwinnett. The pair of forwards have combined to post over 100 points this season for Gwinnett as Schell has collected 17 goals and 54 assists for 71 points on the year for the Gladiators while Mifsud has collected 14 goals and 42 assists for Gwinnett. Mifsud is 5 points ahead of Mike Pandolfo of Trenton who ranks 3rd overall in scoring in the ECHL.

Double Digits! Chad Painchaud became the 8th player on the Gladiators to post 10 goals this season as he collected the game winning goal in Friday night's 3-1 win over the Columbia Inferno and had his 11th goal of the season in Saturday's 3-2 win over Texas. Painchaud joins Brad Schell, Scott Mifsud, Colton Fretter, Jon Awe, Mike Vigilante, Jamie Milam and Joel Stepp as all have collected 10 goals this season. Andy Contois is currenlty one goal shy of 10 while Jim Jackson is two goals shy of 10 on the year.

One more for 50! Mike Vigilante is just one goal shy of 50 in his Gladiators career as entered the season with 34 goals as a Gladiator. Vigilante posted his 15th goal of the season and 49th of of his Gladiators career in Thursday's 6-3 win over Pensacola. 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 73 goals in his ECHL career having played with Mobile, Jackson and Pensacola before joining Gwinnett for the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season.

On the Power Play! Gwinnett continues to lead the ECHL on the power play as the Gladiators continue to pick up goals on the man advantage. Gwinnett pushed their league leading total to 74 power play goals on the season in Saturday's 3-2 win over Texas. Gwinnett has been converting on 26.5% of their power play chances this season. The Gladiators finished one power play goal shy of the ECHL record last year for most power play goals in a season and are currently 41 goals shy of tying the ECHL record of 115 for most power play goals in a season.

Sonic and Coca-Cola Family Packs: The Gladiators have teamed up with Sonic, America's Drive Thru and Coca-Cola to offer Family Packs for the Gladiators Friday, January 19th game against the Florida Everblades at 7:35 p.m. Fans can take advantage of this special offer and receive a huge discount by purchasing the Family Pack online for just $48. The Family Packs are also available at the Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office through the day of the game for only $64. This is a limited time offer with only 250 Sonic & Coca Cola Family Packs available. The Sonic & Coca Cola Family Packs include: 4 Premium Level tickets in section 119 (or equivalent), coupon for 4 Sonic Burgers, coupon for 4 Sonic Tots, coupon for 4 Sonic Soft Drinks. Call the Gladiators office at 770-497-5100 or log on to www.gwinnettgladiators.com for more information.

Last Week's Games:

January 11th, Gwinnett 6, Pensacola 3 - W

Jim Jackson and Colton Fretter each collected two power play goals for Gwinnett to power the Gladiators past the Ice Pilots for the win. Gwinnett blew the game open with three goals within seven minutes of each other midway through the second period. Mike Vigilante had his 49th goal as a Gladiator while Brad Schell added to his league leading total with a goal in the win. Scott Mifsud and Schell each had two assists for Gwinnett while Dan Turple finished with 16 saves in the win. Gwinnett went 4-7 on the power play in the victory to remain in the top spot on the man advantage for Gwinnett.

January 12th, Gwinnett 3, Columbia 1 - W

Jon Awe posted his 16th power play goal of the season tying the ECHL record for most power play goals in a season by a defenseman. Chad Painchaud posted the game winning goal for Gwinnett less than two minutes after Awe's goal as both came on the power play. Colton Fretter had the Gladiators third goal, an empty netter, to round out the scoring. Blue Bennefield had an assist, his 50th point as a Gladiator, in the win. Dan Turple won his 4th consecutive game as he made 29 saves for Gwinnett in the victory.

January 13th, Gwinnett 3, Texas 2 - W

Chad Painchaud scored his second consecutive game-winning goal for Gwinnett as he broke a 2-2 tie midway through the third period. Brad Schell and Jamie Milam gave Gwinnett a 2-0 lead with first period goals about five minutes apart. Gwinnett went 1-9 on the power play while Dave Caruso made 29 saves in the win for Gwinnett, the Gladiators fifth straight. Schell finished with a goal and an assist as Scott Mifsud, Mike Vigilante, Colton Fretter and Jim Jackson each had an assist for Gwinnett.

This Week's Games:

Monday, January 15th, vs. Texas Wildcatters, 12:30 p.m. - wdun.com

Gwinnett remains unbeaten against the Wildcatters this season on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Brad Schell leads all players in scoring in the series as he has posted 7 points for the Gladiators off of 2 goals and 5 assists against the Wildcatters.

Friday, January 19th, vs. Florida Everblades, 7:35 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

Saturday, January 20th, vs. Florida Everblades, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

Florida has won the only meeting, 6-5, between the two teams this season back on December 10th on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The loss to the Everblades is one of three regulation losses at home this season for Gwinnett. Following this pair of games, the Gladiators will travel to Estero, Florida for a pair of games at the Germain Arena on January 26th and 27th.

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.

Monday: Game vs. Texas

Tuesday: Day Off - All Star Break

Wednesday: ECHL All Star Game - 9 p.m. @ Idaho

Thursday: Ice Available 10:30 - noon - Arena

Friday: game vs. Florida

Saturday: game vs. Florida

Sunday: day off

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on January 15th as they host the Texas Wildcatters on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 12:30 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 15, 2007


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