ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on February 11, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


In the Lead! Jeff Campbell notched a goal and an assist for the Gladiators in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbia Inferno. With the pair of points, Campbell leap-frogs over John McNabb of Texas into the top spot in scoring in the ECHL with 59 points. Campbell has notched 13 goals and 46 assists for the Gladiators in 39 games.

On the Pink! The Gladiators remained unbeaten in regulation on colored ice at home after Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbia Inferno. After going 2-0-0 while skating on green ice last season around St. Patrick's Day, Gwinnett went 2-0-1 this season while skating on pink ice during "Pink in the Rink" Weekend this season. Gwinnett is now 4-0-1 all time at home on colored ice. The Gladiators lost their only game on colored ice on the road as they dropped a 2-1 decision at Long Beach on blue ice during the 2004-05 season.

Four in a Row: Mike Hamilton notched an assist for the Gladiators in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to Columbia pushing his point scoring streak to four games. Hamilton has now posted at least one point in each of the Gladiators last four games after Gwinnett was shutout at South Carolina on February 1st. With at least one point in each of the Gladiators past four games, Hamilton has notched 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points during his current point streak.

Gone to Manitoba! Jim Jackson was called up to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League last Wednesday becoming the third Gladiator this season to be called up to that AHL team this season. Jackson joined Lou Dickenson, who remains in Manitoba, on the Moose. Mike Vigilante spent three games in Manitoba earlier this season. In two games with Manitoba this weekend, Jackson did not register a point in the AHL.

What a Return Performance! Forward Brad Schell made his 2007-08 season debut with a splash on Friday night. Playing in his first game this season and the first time since March of 2007, Schell figured in all three of the Gladiators goals in a 3-2 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night. Schell posted a pair of goals for the Gladiators, including the game winner, as well as an assist to help Gwinnett to the win. In three games this season for Gwinnett, Schell has collected 5 points off of 2 goals and 3 asssits.

That's a lot of Rubber! The Gwinnett Gladiators looked like a firing squad on Saturday night against the Wheeling Nailers tying a team season record for most shots in a period. Gwinnett posted 26 shots in the second period of Saturday's 5-3 win over the Nailers. It tied the season record of 26 shots set on December 2nd at Texas in the first period.

Last Week's Games:

February 8th, Gwinnett 3, Wheeling 2 - W

Brad Schell, in his first game of the season with the Gladiators, posted two goals and an assist to help lead Gwinnett past Wheeling. Jeff Campbell moved into the league lead in scoring with a goal and two assists for Gwinnett. Campbell gave the Gladiators a 1-0 lead early in the second period, but the Nailers scored two goals late in the second period just 29 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead after two periods. Schell's first goal of the season came just 13 seconds into the third period to tie the game at two while he posted the game winner at 2:48 of the third period to give Gwinnett a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. Andy Brandt, Mike Hamilton and Tomas Pospisil also scored for Gwinnett in the win. Craig Kowalski collected 20 saves in the win for Gwinnett.

February 9th, Gwinnett 5, Wheeling 3 - W

Mike Hamilton notched a pair of goals and an assist to lift the Gwinnett Gladiators to their third consecutive win. It was the Gladiators second straight in as many nights over the Wheeling Nailers. Gwinnett took a 1-0 lead on Wheeling on Hamilton's first goal of the game at 12:13 of the first period. Wheeling scored two goals within 30 seconds of each other early in the second period to take a 2-1 second period lead on the Gladiators. Myles Stoesz's fourth goal of the season tie the game at two at 12:45 of the second period. Ryan Mahrle's power play goal about a minute and a half later gave Gwinnett a 3-2 lead. Hamilton's second goal of the game with 5 seconds left in the second period pushed the Gladiators lead to 4-2. The teams exchanged goals in the third period. Brandt posted the Gladiators goal into an empty net after Wheeling pulled within a goal early in the third period. Craig Kowalski posted his third consecutive win for the Gladiators making 24 saves for Gwinnett.

February 10th, Columbia 4, Gwinnett 3 - SOL

In a game delayed 1 hour and 45 minutes due to bus problems encountered by Colubmia, Gwinnett fell behind by a 3-0 score before posting three late goals to send the game to overtime and then a shootout. Columbia took a 2-0 lead after the first period and then pushed their lead to 3-0 early in the second period. Gwinnett posted a pair of goals four minutes apart late in the second period to get back into the contest. Matt Anderson opened the scoring for Gwinnett while Jeff Campbell cut the Columbia lead to one goal at 18:46 left in the second period. Tomas Pospisil equalized the game at 3-3 at the 1:38 mark of the third period. Brad Schell finished with two assists in the loss while Craig Kowalski finished with 28 saves in the shootout loss for Gwinnett.

This Week's Games:

Wednesday, February 13th, @ Johnstown Chiefs, 7:05 p.m. - AccessNorthGa.com

It's the first ever meeting between the Gladiators and the Johnstown Chiefs in Johnstown. Gwinnett won the first ever meeting against the Chiefs, a 4-3 shootout win last season at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Johnstown is led in scoring this season by Ryan Garlock who has 40 points off of 17 goals and 23 assists in 39 games with the Chiefs.

Friday, February 15th, @ Elmira Jackals, 7:35 p.m. - AccessNorthGa.com

Elmira won the first meeting of the season against the Gladiators, posting a 5-3 win back on November 20th. Benoit Doucet leads the Jackals in scoring with 47 points. Elmira currently sits in second place in the ECHL's North Division.

Saturday, February 16th, @ Trenton Devils, 7:00 p.m. - AccessNorthGa.com

This is the first and only meeting of the season for the Gladiators against Trenton. Gwinnett is 2-0-0 all time against Trenton posting both wins during the 2005-06 season. The Devils are led in scoring by Ryan Gunderson who has collected 4 goals and 32 assists for 36 points.

Sunday, February 17th, @ Reading Royals, 5:05 p.m. - AccessNorthGa.com

The Gladiators and Royals split a pair of games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on October 28th and October 30th. Gwinnett won 5-1 on October 28th while Reading won the second game 2-1 on October 30th. Reading leads the all time series with the Gladiators with a 2-1-0 record. Craig Kowalski started both games for the Gladiators against the Royals earlier this season posting a 1.51 goals against average in those two games.

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. Media members wishing to attend practice at the Arena should contact the Gladiators PR staff at 770-497-5106 to facilitate building access.

Monday: day off

Tuesday: practice @ Johnstown

Wednesday: Game @ Johnstown

Thursday: practice in Johnstown - bus to Elmira

Friday: Game @ Elmira

Saturday: Game @ Trenton

Sunday: Game @ Reading

The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Wednesday, February 13th as they travel to Johnstown to take on the Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Wednesday's game via AccessRadio on AccessNorthGa.com.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages 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 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 11, 2008


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