ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

March 5, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Back from the "A": Brad Schell returned to the Gladiators from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League on Friday in time to help the Gladiators to a 4-3 shootout win over the Columbia Inferno. Schell returned to the Gladiators following his second call up to the AHL this season. In 4 AHL games this year, the third year pro from Scott, Saskatchewan has collected 3 points for the Wolves this season.

Up and Back! Defenseman Jim Jackson made a quick mid week trip to the AHL for the first call up of his career. Jackson was called up to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL on Wednesday and was in the line up for the Griffins 3-2 loss to the Rochester Americans that same night. Jackson was reassigned to Gwinnett on Friday and back with the Gladiators in time for Gwinnett's 4-3 shootout win over Columbia that night.

More to 20: Jamie Milam posted his 17th goal of the season for the Gladiators in Friday's 4-3 shootout win over the Columbia Inferno and is now just 3 goals shy of 20 on the season. Milam is looking to become the sixth Gladiator this year to record 20 or more goals on the season. He would join Colton Fretter (35), Brad Schell (23) Jon Awe (21), Mike Vigilante (20) and Scott Mifsud (21) with 20 or more goals this season. In addition to Milam, a host of other Gladiators are also within striking distance of 20 goals this season including Chad Painchaud (18) and Andy Contois (16). Joel Stepp and Blue Bennefield each have 12 goals on the season for the Gladiators while Jim Jackson has 11 tallies this year.

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 99 points on the year after posting an assist in Friday's 4-3 shootout win over Columbia and leads his line mate Scott Mifsud, who ranks second in the league in scoring, by 18 points.

On the Power Play: The power play continues to be good to the Gladiators this year as Gwinnett used a power play goal to get by Columbia on Friday night. Gwinnett now has 100 power play goals on the year and continues on pace to set a new ECHL record for power play goals in a season. Gwinnett is just 15 power play goals shy of tying the ECHL record of 115 currently held by the Nashville Knights set during the 1995-96 season. The Gladiators need to average 0.941 power play goals over their final 16 games to tie the ECHL record for power play goals in a season.

Lunch Boxes! The first 1,500 kids ages 10 and under will receive a Gladiators tin lunch box when Gwinnett hosts the Augusta Lynx on Saturday, March 10th at 7:35 p.m. Tin lunch box night is presented courtesy of Camping Time RV, Charter Communications, Star 94 FM and the Atlanta Journal Constitution/AJC Gwinnett News.

Goin' Irish! The Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena At Gwinnett Center will be going Irish on Saturday, March 17th when the Gladiators host the Columbia Inferno and Sunday, March 18th when the Gladiators host the Florida Everblades. To help get in the St. Patrick's Day Spirit, the Gladiators will be painting the ice green for both games that weekend. In addition, the first 2,000 fans to the game on Saturday night will receive a commemorative tee-shirt courtesy of Your Best Rate Financial.

Last Week's Games:

March 2, Gwinnett 4, Columbia 3 - SOW

Gwinnett won its fourth straight game, knocking off Columbia in a shootout. Gwinnett got Jim Jackson, who was called up earlier in the week, and Brad Schell back for the contest. Schell notched an assist in the win moving him one point shy of 100 points on the year. Gwinnett trailed 2-0 before Joel Stepp's 12th goal of the year cut the Columbia lead in half. The inferno pushed their lead to 3-1 in the second before Matt York and Jamie Milam scored for Gwinnett to tie the game up at three. Scoreless in the third and in overtime, Gwinnett scored on 3 of 4 shootout chances while the Inferno were successful on just 1-of-4 shootout chances in the loss. Dave Caruso finished with 33 saves in the win while Gwinnett went 1-for-5 on the power play.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, March 6th, vs. Florida Everblades, 7:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

Gwinnett currently trails the Everblades by two points in the ECHL's South Division. Gwinnett won the last meeting against the Everblades by a 4-2 score and lead the season series with a 5-3-0 record and are 2-1-0 against the Everblades on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Brad Schell leads all players in the season series in scoring with 14 points in 8 games.

Thursday, March 8th, @ Columbia Inferno, 7:05 p.m. - wdun.com

The Gladiators return to the Carolina Coliseum where the Gladiators have not lost in regulation since December 11, 2004. Gwinnett is 3-0-0 this season in Columbia following last Friday's 4-3 shootout win over the Inferno. Scott Mifsud's 12 points leads all players in scoring in the season series.

Saturday, March 10th, vs. Augusta Lynx, 7:35 p.m. - wdun.com

The Gladiators continue to sit a handful of points ahead of the Lynx heading into the final game of the season series against Augusta this year. Gwinnett trails the season series against the Lynx with a 2-4-2 record as Augusta has won the last four meetings against the Gladiators. Dave Caruso has collected both wins for the Gladiators against the Lynx this year posting a 2-1-1 record against Augusta and a 2.46 goals against average.

Sunday, March 11th, @ Charlotte Checkers, 7:35 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

Gwinnett and Charlotte are tied in the season series with 3 wins each through six games this season. Both teams are .500 on the road and .500 at home with three games, including this one, remaining in the season series. Jon Awe, Brad Schell and Scott Mifsud all share first in scoring against the Checkers with 7 points apiece.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fourth season as a proud member of the ECHL on March 6th as they host the Florida Everblades on the Your Best Rate Financial Home Ice at the Arena at Gwinnett Center at 7:05 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 March 5, 2007


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