ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on February 19, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Off to the "A": Gladiators forward Brad Schell was called up to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League on Friday. The Scott, Saskatchewan native made his first trip to the AHL this season while it is the third call up of his career. In two games with the Wolves over the weekend, Schell posted a goal and an assist for Chicago.

Streaking Along! Forward Scott Mifsud collected a goal and an assist in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Charlotte Checkers to match the ECHL season high for longest point scoring streak of the season. Mifsud has now recorded at least one point in 16 straight games for the Gladiators tying teammate Colton Fretter as well as Kevin Baker of Texas for longest point scoring streak of the season. Mifsud has posted 7 goals and 22 assists for the Gladiators during his streak.

Another to 20: Scott Mifsud posted his 20th goal of the season for the Gladiators in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Charlotte. Mifsud becomes the fourth player this season on the Gladiators to post 20 goals joining Colton Fretter (35), Brad Schell (21) and Jon Awe (20) with 20 or more goals on the season. The Gladiators team record for most 20 or more goal scorers in one season is 7 set last year. A handful of players are a few goals shy of 20 this season including Mike Vigilante (18), Chad Painchaud (16), Jamie Milam (15) and Andy Contois (14).

More Records: Colton Fretter added to his Gladiators team record for most goals in a season posting his 35th goal of the year in Wednesday's 7-4 at Florida. Fretter moved ahead of Kevin Doell, who set the original record of 33 during the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season, and then matched by Guillaume Desbiens last year. With 35 goals on the season, Fretter needs 10 goals to tie the all time team record of 45 goals set by Mark Turner during the 1999-00 season with the Mobile Mysticks.

Looking for 100: Brad Schell is looking to become the first player to record 100 points in a season since Buddy Smith of the Arkansas RiverBlades notched 104 during the 2002-03 season. Schell currently has 95 points on the year and leads his line mate Scott Mifsud, who ranks second in the league in scoring, by 20 points.

Atlanta Traffic Weekend! The Gladiators "Salute to Atlanta Traffic" is Saturday, February 24th against the South Carolina Stingrays and Sunday, February 25th against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. The Gladiators will be wearing special Atlanta Traffic themed jerseys that will be auctioned off following Sunday's game to benefit the Gladiators Foundation for Kids. The Gladiators annual post-game specialty jersey auction has raised over $80,000 during the team's first three seasons. The Gladiators special "St. Patrick's Day" Jerseys raised over $16,600 during the team's inaugural season while the "Tie-Dye" Jerseys brought in $28,175 for the Foundation during the 2004-05 season. Last season's "Military Appreciation" Jerseys raised over $46,000.

Stress Relievers! The Gladiators will be giving away stress relievers in the shape of a traffic cone to the first 2,500 fans to the game on Saturday, February 24th against the South Carolina Stingrays. The stress relievers are courtesy of Kia Mall of Georgia, Fox 5 Atlanta and Kicks 101.5 FM.

Kroger Family Sunday: The third Kroger Family Sunday is Sunday, February 25th as the Gladiators host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 4:05 p.m. Fan can get a Kroger Family Day Deal which includes 4 Premium Level Tickets in Selected sections, 2 Gladiators Caps, 2 Game Programs and a Kroger Family meal deal which includes an 8-piece mixed Wishbone baked chicken, 1 lb. Deli Salad or Coleslaw, 12ct rolls, 16 count cookies and a 2 liter Big K Soft Drink for only $44.00. The Kroger Family Day Deal is available ONLY at the Arena at Gwinnett Center Box Office and fans can just ask for it by name when ordering tickets. For more information, call 770-497-5100.

Last Week's Games:

February 14th, Gwinnett 7, Florida 4 - W

Andy Contois posted two goals and an assist while Mike Vigilante and Jamie Milam each had a goal and two assists to help the Gladiators past the Everblades. Gwinnett jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Florida in the first and never trailed in the win. Gwinnett gave up a hat trick to Florida's Adam Taylor in the win. Jim Jackson had his 11th while Colton Fretter collected his 35th goal of the season while Blue Bennefield posted his 10th goal for Gwinnett. Florida got within 5-4 before Bennefield and Milam posted goals within the last two minutes of the third period to put the game away. Dave Caruso collected 26 saves in the win. Gwinnett also posted 2 power play goals in the victory.

February 18th, Charlotte 3, Gwinnett 2 - L

The Gladiators fell behind 1-0 just 12 seconds into the game and never lead in the 3-2 loss. Matt York scored the Gladiators first goal to tie the game at one but the Checkers answered 14 seconds later to regain the lead. Scott Mifsud finished with a goal and an assist for Gwinnett as he tied the game at 2-2 scoring 29 seconds into the third period. Charlotte scored shorthanded five minutes into the third period for what proved to be the game winner. Dave Caruso posted 32 saves in the losing effort, the Gladiators second straight loss at home.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, February 20th @ Pensacola Ice Pilots, 8:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators lead the season series against the Ice Pilots by a 4-1-0 record but are 1-1-0 at Pensacola this season. Gwinnett has outscored the Ice Pilots by a 29-23 margin this season with Scott Mifsud leading all players in scoring during the season series with 11 points for Gwinnett. Pensacola's David Wrigley ranks second with 10 points for Pensacola against Gwinnett.

Wednesday, February 21st, @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - wdun.com

Friday, February 23rd, @ Florida Everblades, 7:30 p.m. - wdun.com The Gladiators recorded the last win of the series downing the Everblades 7-4 on February 14th and now lead the season series with a 4-2-0 record. The Gladiators are now 18-7-4 all time against the Everblades. The Gladiators will close out the season series against the Everblades with two games at home during the month of March.

Saturday, February 24th, vs. South Carolina Stingrays, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

Gwinnett remains unbeaten in regulation against the Stingrays after posting a 6-2 win over South Carolina on February 3rd and lead the season series with a 5-0-1 record. The Gladiators have not lost in regulation to the Stingrays since a 4-3 loss on March 26, 2006. Colton Fretter and Scott Mifsud each have 11 points this season for the Gladiators against the Stingrays to lead all scorers in the season series.

Sunday, February 25th, vs. Pensacola Ice Pilots, 4:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on February 20th as they travel to Pensacola to take on the Ice Pilots at 8:05 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 February 19, 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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