ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on October 20, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


A Lot of Goals! The Gladiators set a new team record for most goals in a season opener in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Gwinnett snapped its old mark of 5 goals set during the teams inaugural season in a 5-2 win at Charlotte and then matched last season in a 5-3 win at Pensacola. The 6 goals tied the all time team record set by the Mobile Mysticks, ironically enough against Mississippi, to open the 1998-99 season.

On the Power Play: The Gladiators used four power play goals to post a 6-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves on Saturday night. Gwinnett's four power play goals in the win set a league season high for most power play goals in one game. Converting on four-of-eleven power play chances, Gwinnett ranks third overall in the ECHL on power play.

Firing the Puck: The Gladiators peppered Mississippi netminder Jeremy Duchesne in Saturday's win with 48 shots. The Gladiators 48 shots in the win was also a season high for the 2008-09 season for most shots on goal in one game. Gwinnett also holds the season record for 2008-09 for most shots in the 3rd period with 16 posted against Mississippi on Saturday.

Still Unbeaten! With Saturday's 6-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the season opener, Gwinnett remains unbeaten in season openers in team history. The Gladiators improved to 5-0-1 with the win on Saturday. The only time the Gladaitors did not pick up two points in the season opener was during the 2005-06 season when Gwinnett lost 1-0 in a shootout to Charlotte giving the Gladiators just one point to start the season.

First Goal! Rookie defenseman Josh Engel notched the game's first goal for Gwinnett in Saturday's 6-2 win over Mississippi. The goal was also Engel's first pro goal of his career. The rookie out of the University of Wisconsin posted 3 goals during his senior season last year with the Badgers.

Between the Pipes: Goaltender Kevin Nastiuk, assigned to Gwinnett by the Boston Bruins of the NHL, recorded the win in his first game with the Gladiators on Saturday night. It was his 36th ECHL win of his career and his 41st win of his pro career.

Last Week's Games:

Saturday, October 18th, Gwinnett 6, Mississippi 2 - W

The Gladiators remain unbeaten in season openers as they knocked off the Sea Wolves 6-2. Gwinnett used four power play goals to cruise to the win. Bruce Graham finished with a team high two goals while Josh Engel notched his first professional goal for Gwinnett in the win. Kevin Nastiuk made 25 saves in the win for Gwinnett. Gwinnett opened a 2-0 lead on Mississippi on Engel's goal and Brad Schell's first of the season. Mississippi got on the board in the second before Graham's first of the game. The Sea Wolves again cut the lead in half, this time late in the second. Gwinnett rattled off three straight in the third to put the game away. Mahrle's and Marchesi's first of the season before Graham's second of the night.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, October 21st vs. Augusta Lynx, 7:05 p.m. - WDUN, News Talk 550

The Gladiators face the Checkers in a rematch of 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Gwinnett swept the Checkers last season in the first round of the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs in three straight games. Charlotte comes to the Arena at Gwinnett Center for the first of eight meetings in Gwinnett this season. The Gladiators are 26-12-4 all time against the Checkers.

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: 10:30 - noon, Arena

Tuesday: Game vs. Augusta

Wednesday: day off

Thursday: 12:10 - 1:40, Ice Forum, Duluth

Friday: 12:10 - 1:40, Ice Forum, Duluth

Saturday: 2 p.m.- 3 p.m., Ice Forum, Duluth

Sunday: 2 p.m.- 3 p.m., Ice Forum, Duluth

The Gladiators continue the 2008-09 season on Tuesday, October 21st at the Arena at Gwinnett Center as they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:05 p.m.

Began in 1988-89 with five teams playing in four states, the Premier 'AA' Hockey League has grown into a coast-to-coast league that will have 23 teams in 16 states and British Columbia playing 864 games from Oct. 17, 2008 to Apr. 4, 2009. Eighteen of the 23 teams have played at least five years in their current city.

The third-longest tenured professional hockey league behind only the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League, the ECHL averaged 4,174 per game last season, marking the fourth year in row and the 16th time in the last 18 years that the league has averaged over 4,000 fans. The league has drawn over four million fans each of the last five years and 11 times in the past 12 seasons.

The Gwinnett Gladiators open their sixth season as a proud member of the ECHL in October of 2008 - 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.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics

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ECHL Stories from October 20, 2008


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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