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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

January 22, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Team Record! Brad Schell collected his league leading 60th assist in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Florida Everblades. His 60 assists ties a Gladiators team record for most assists in one season matching Brandon Dietrich's team record set during the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season. One more assist will give Schell a new Gladiators team record for most assists in one season while tying the all time team record for assists in a season tying Jamie Ling's record of 61 helpers posted during the 1996-97 season with the Mobile Mysticks.

A New Record! Defenseman Jon Awe collected his 17th power play goal of the season setting a new ECHL record for most power play goals by a defenseman in one season. As he has scored a majority of his goals, Awe unleashed a slap shot from the blue line just 54 seconds into the third period of Friday's game on the power play for the marker. Awe jumped ahead of the original mark set by Joe Cook of the Columbus Chill during the 1993-94 season and then matched by Chris Valicevic of the Louisiana IceGators during the 1995-96 season.

Six in a Row! Gladiators netminder Dan Turple posted his 6th consecutive win for Gwinnett in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Florida Everblades. His six straight wins is the longest winning streak by a Gladiators netminder this season. During his current streak, Turple has posted a 2.47 goals against average and a .918 save percentage while lowering his goals against average from a 3.80 to 3.43 while improving his save percentage from .869 to .883 and helping the Gladiators move into first place in the ECHL's South Division.

Up to the A! Gladiators defenseman Brian Lee was called up to the Chicago Wolves last Wednesday becoming the third player this season to move up to the Gladiators AHL affiliate. In four games since being recalled to Chicago, Lee has posted a +2 plus-minus rating with the Wolves.

Also Moving Up! Scott Mifsud was called up to the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League on Saturday. The Burlington, Ontario native maked his first trip to the AHL in his career. He currently ranks second overall in scoring in the ECHL with 58 points and trails only teammate Brad schell for the top spot in the league. Mifsud was held scoreless in the Sharks 3-1 win over the Lowell Devils on Saturday night.

It's gotta get easier: ...unless you're on the other end of Jon Awe's slapshot. The Gladiators defenseman set a new ECHL record for hardest shot as his cannon was recorded at 102.2 MPH during the ECHL All Star Skill Competition in Boise, ID on Wednesday. Awe broke Jaroslav Obsut's record of 99.3 mph set during the 1999 ECHL All Stars Skill's Competition.

Supporting Cast: Jon Awe currently leads the ECHL in power play goals with 17, a new ECHL record for most power play goals by a defenseman in a season. Awe, though, has gotten some help on the power play from Scott Mifsud and Brad Schell. At least one of those two Gladiators forwards has picked up at least one assist on every one of Awe's 17 power play goals this season with Schell and Mifsud both having assists on 9 of the 17 man advantage markers.

All Star Appearance! The Gladiators were well represented in the 2007 RBK ECHL All Star Game on Wednesday night from Boise, Idaho. Forwards Colton Fretter and Brad Schell each scored for the American Conference in the Win. Schell recorded the game's first goal just 4:26 into the contest while Fretter's marker, posted with 3:16 left in the middle stanza, proved to be the game winner for the American Conference. Defenseman Jon Awe finished with 5 shots for the American Conference in the victory.

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 77 power play goals on the season in Friday night's 4-3 win over Florida. Gwinnett has been converting on 26.3% 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 38 goals shy of tying the ECHL record of 115 for most power play goals in a season.

Last Week's Games:

January 19th, Gladiators 4, Florida 3 - W

Jon Awe collected his 17th power play goal of the year setting a new ECHL record for power play goals in a season by a defenseman helping the Gladiators past the Florida Everblades. Awe's goal tied the game at one early in the second period while Andy Contois scored the game winner for a Gwinnett team that was playing with just 14 skaters, late in the third period. Scott Lehman notched his first goal of the season for the Gladiators in the win while Brad Schell collected his 18th goal of the year finishing with 3 points (1g, 2a) for Gwinnett. Dan Turple won his 5th straight game for Gwinnett making 27 saves in the contest.

January 20th, Gladiators 3, Florida 1 - W

Jim Jackson recorded his 9th goal of the season midway through the second period to snap a scoreless tie. Brad Schell gave Gwinnett a 2-0 lead five minutes into the third period while Andy Cointois pushed the Gwinnett lead to 3-0 a little more than a minute after Schell's goal. Contois and Schell each finished with a goal and an assist for Gwinnett in the win. Florida snapped Dan Tuple's shutout bid midway through the third period but the Everblades could get no closer. Turple collected his 6th straight win for Gwinnett making 30 saves for Gwinnett. The Gladiators went 0-4 on the power play in win.

This Week's Games:

Friday, January 26th, @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - wdun.com

Saturday, January 27th, @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators make their first trip to Florida this season. Gwinnett leads the season series after posting the back to back wins last weekend over the Everblades as Gwinnett is now 2-1-0 this season against Florida. The Everblades are 12-7-0 at home this season as they have outscored their opponents 64-55 in 19 games at the Germain Arena. Reggie Berg leads the Everblades in scoring with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points for Florida.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on January 26th as they travel to Florida to take on the Everblades at 7:30 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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