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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

April 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs: The Gwinnett Gladiators dropped a pair of games to the Texas Wildcatters in Games 3 and 4 of the ECHL South Division Semifinals on Wednesday and Friday. Texas defeated Gwinnett 5-4 in overtime in Game 3 and knocked off the Gladiators 2-1 in overtime in Game 4. With the two losses, The Gladiators dropped the best of 5 Division Semi-Final series against the Texas wildcatters 3 games to 1.

Playoff Leaders: Chad Painchaud posted at least one assist for the Gladiators in each of the Gladiators four Kelly Cup Playoff games to lead the Gladiators in scoring during the post season. Painchaud finished with 5 points, all assists, for Gwinnett. Scott Mifsud and Joel Stepp finished ranked second with 4 points while Colton Fretter finished with a team high 3 goals during the playoffs to lead the Gladiators.

In overtime: The Gladiators skated to back to back overtime games against the Texas Wildcatters in Games 3 and 4 of the Division Semi Finals. It was the just the second time in team history that the Gladiators skated to back to back overtime games in the playoffs. Gwinnett went to overtime twice against the Charlotte Checkers in the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs posting a win and an overtime loss in Games 1 & 2 of the series. The Gladiators lost both overtime games this season to the Texas Wildcatters.

On the Road: The Gladiators finished a playoff series on the road for the 7th time in team history with the 2-1 overtime loss at Texas on Friday night. Gwinnett has only played the final game of a playoff series at the Arena at Gwinnett Center three times out of 10 all time playoff series in team history. The series that Gwinnett has completed at home include defeating Louisiana in Game 4 of the Division Final in 2004, advancing past the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the Conference Quarterfinals in 2005 and losing to the Alaska Aces in Game 5 of the Kelly Cup Finals in 2006.

New Career Highs: Multiple Gladiators finished the 2006-07 regular season setting career highs. Jon Awe finished with new career highs for goals (24), assists (32) and points (56). Jim Jackson finished the year with a new career high for points (38). Joel Stepp also set a new career high for assists (37) and points (54) while Scott Mifsud also had career highs for assists (68) and points in the season (94). Brad Schell led the league in scoring and set franchise records for assists with 85 and points with 110. Mike Vigilante set a new career high points (65).

Last Week's Games:

April 18th, Texas 5, Gwinnett 4 - OTL

Texas jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the Gladiators and pushed their lead to 4-1 after Jon Awe posted his first goal of the post season late in the second period. Gwinnett was out shot by a 25-5 margin early in the second period. The Gladiators battled back to within a goal after collecting tallies from Colton Fretter and Mike Vigilante early in the third period. Fretter's second marker on the power play with 7:02 left in the third period tied the game at 4-4 and sent the contest into overtime. Texas posted the game winner 7:02 into the overtime period for the Wildcatter's win. Dan Turple finished with 40 saves in the loss.

April 20th, Texas 2, Gwinnett 1 - OTL

Andy Contois posted the Gladiators lone goal late in the third period which tied the game at 1-1 and send the contest to overtime. Scoreless through two periods, Texas struck first on a 4-on-3 power play early in the third period. Contois' marker came on a breakaway as Mike Vigilante and Chad Painchaud had the assists on the goal. The Wildcatters scored the game winner with 29 seconds left in overtime for the win. Dave Caruso finished with 48 saves in the loss, the most saves in a regular season or playoff game in Gladiators history. Gwinnett was 0-for-5 on the power play while Texas finished 1-for-7 on the man advantage.

This Week's Games:

No Games Scheduled - Season Complete

The Gwinnett Gladiators open the 2007-08 season October of 2007. 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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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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