ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

October 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Back in Gwinnett: The Gladiators acquired forward Brandon Kaleniecki on Friday in exchange for financial considerations from the Las Vegas Wranglers. Kaleniecki appreared in one game this season with Las Vegas before being dealt to the Gladiators. The Livonia, Michigan native began his professional career with the Gladiators during the 2006-07 season before being traded to Las Vegas prior to last year. He appeared in 60 games last season with Las Vegas recording 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points with the Wranglers.

First in the Pros! Jeff Prough notched his first professional goal for the Gladiators in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Augusta Lynx. Prough skated in 9 games last season with the Florida Everblades after completing his senior season at Brown University. He posted just one assist during his stint in Florida.

With the lead: The Gladiators have yet to trail in a contest this season. Despite losing 3-2 in a shootout, the Gladaitors have not trailed during regulation yet this season. Gwinnett opened up a mult-goal lead on Mississippi en-route to the 6-2 win on October 18th and then the Gladiators scored first and led 2-1 in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Augusta.

Idle: The Gladiators were idle over the weekend, playing just one game last week on Tuesday. Gwinnett has played the fewest games in the ECHL through the first two weekends having played just two games so far this season. Gwinnett has yet to play a road game and is one of just three teams yet to play a game on the road this season. In addition to the Gladiators, Florida and Phoenix have yet to play a road game this season. The Gladiators will travel to Biloxi for a pair of game this weekend at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and the Gladiators first road games of the season.

On the Power Play: Despite going 1-for-8 on the power play in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Augusta, the Gladiators are averaging 3 power play goals a game and are on pace to finish the season with 216 power play goals. Gwinnett holds the ECHL record for most power play goals in a season when they registered 120 power play goals during the 2006-07 season.

Between the Pipes: Goaltender Kevin Nastiuk is 9 wins shy of 50 in his professional career after posting a 6-2 win over Mississippi on October 18th. Thirty-six of his 41 pro wins have come in the ECHL with Las Vegas, Floria and Gwinnett.

Looking for 25: Bryan Esner entered the 2008-09 season looking for his 25 professional goal. He recorded 24 goals last season as he split time with the South carolina Stingrays and the Pensacola Ice Pilots. The second year pro posted 18 goals in 4 seasons at Northeastern university prior to turning pro.

Closing in on 50: Andy Brandt is just 4 points shy of 50 in his professional career. The Wausau, Wisconsin native collected a pair of assists for Gwinnett in the Gladiators 6-2 win over Mississippi on October 18th to push his total to 46 in his professional career. He netted a combined 44 points over his first two seasons in the ECHL.

The Century Mark: With an assist for the Gladiators in Gwinnett's 6-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wovles on October 18th, Jordan Fox collected his 100th professional point. He pushed his point total to 101 with a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Augusta. He combined for 99 points during his first two professional seasons with Flint (UHL/IHL) and Albany (AHL).

Closing in on 800: Dan Sullivan is just 24 penalty minutes shy of 800 in his 7 year ECHL career. He had five minutes in the Gladiators season opening 6-2 win against Mississippi to push his total to 776 in his ECHL Career. Including his time with the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League, He is just 10 penalty minutes shy of 800 in his professional career.

Last Week's Games:

Tuesday, October 21st - Augusta 3, Gwinnett 2 - SOL

Jeff Prough notched his first professional goal late in the second period to give Gwinnett a 2-1 lead but Gwinnett could not hold the lead in a 3-2 shootout loss to Augusta. Gwinnett gave up the tying goal to the Lyxn with 31 seconds left in the third period and shutout the Gladiators in the shootout. Jordan Fox notched his first goal of the season with Gwinnett late in the first period on the power play as the Gladiators finished 1-for-8 on the man advantage. Brad Schell, Ryan Mahrle, Josh Engel and Bryan Esner all notched assists in the shootout loss. Kevin Nastiuk recorded 27 saves in the losing effort.

This Week's Games:

Tuesday, October 28th vs. Charlotte Checkers, 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.

Friday, October 31st @ Mississippi Sea Wolves, 8:05 p.m. - WDUN.com

Saturday, November 1st @ Mississippi Sea Wolves, 8:05 p.m. - WDUN.com

Gwinnett won the first meeting of the season against the Sea Wovles 6-2 back on October 18th. Gwinnett will take on the Sea Wolves five more times this season at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum following this pair of games in Biloxi. With the win on opening night, Gwinnett is 8-6-2 all time during the regular season against Mississippi.

The Gladiators continue the 2008-09 season on Tuesday, October 28th at the Arena at Gwinnett Center as they host the Charlotte Checkers 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 continue their sixth 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.

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 27, 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.

OurSports Central