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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

October 25, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


Home Sweet Home: With their 6-2 win over the Stingrays last Friday in their 2010-2011 home opener Gwinnett is now 159-80-31 all time at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, and 6-0-2 in home openers.

Coincidence?: After the season opening shootout loss in Florida on 10/15, the Gladiators are now 6-0-2 all time in the first game of a season. Prior this year, the only other blemish on the Gladiators season opening record was a 1-0 shootout loss to the Charlotte Checkers during the 2005-2006 season when the Gladiators advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals.

It's All About Nezzy: Veteran forward Derek Nesbitt was the number one star in both Friday and Saturday's contests. On Friday against South Carolina he picked up a hat trick as a part of a four point, +5 night. Two of his three goals were shorthanded as well. Saturday Nesbitt added two more goals, including the game-winner early in the third. He now ranks third in the ECHL with five goals and three assists through four games.

Wisconsin Wonder: Rookie forward Aaron Bendickson has burst onto the ECHL scene through the Glads' first four games of the season. The University of Wisconsin product registered a goal and two assists on the season opening road trip in Florida, followed it up with a four assist, +5 performance Friday against South Carolina, and had two more assists Saturday. He is currently tied for the league lead in points with nine (two goals, seven assists) through the first four games of his pro career.

Wisconsin Wonder Pt. 2: Rookie forward Michael Davies made his pro debut and scored a second period goal to open up a 3-1 Gladiator lead on Friday. He also had two assists in Saturday's win over Florida. Davies played alongside Aaron Bendickson at the University of Wisconsin and is coming off a terrific senior year where he racked up 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in just 41 games.

Dominant Debut: Defenseman Drew Paris is back with the Gladiators after being assigned to Gwinnett by Toronto (AHL) on October 18th. The 2009-2010 All-Star and All-ECHL Rookie Team member was a +6 over the weekend in his first two games this season with the Glads.

The Puck Stops Here: Chris Carrozzi continues to excel between the pipes for the Gladiators. The 20-yeard old rookie picked up both wins on Friday and Saturday, stopping a combined 53 of 57 shots faced. The Thrashers prospect is now 2-0-0-1 with a sparkling .931 save percentage and ranks third in the league in goals against average (1.95).

Offensive Explosion: The Glads have scored 18 goals in just four games this season, four of which were short-handed tallies with four more coming on the man-advantage.

Last Week's Games:

October 22nd, Gwinnett 6, South Carolina 2 - W

The Gwinnett Gladiators dominated in their home opener against the South Carolina Stingrays in front of more than 10,000 fans Friday night. The Gladiators are now 6-0-2 in home openers at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Stringrays scored early in the first period, but Gwinnett responded by scoring five unanswered to take a 5-1 advantage into the third. Veteran forward Derek Nesbitt had three goals (two shorthanded) and an assist while rookie forward Aaron Bendickson racked up four assists. Rookie forward Michael Davies scored his first goal as a pro in his first game as a Gladiator. Chris Carrozzi notched 21 saves in the win, while last season's ECHL Goalie of the year Todd Ford was chased in the second after allowing five goals on just 14 shots.

October 23rd, Gwinnett 5, Florida 2 - W

The Gladiators beat the Everblades in the third meeting of the season between the two teams. Heading into the third the score was tied 2-2 in what had been a back-and-forth first couple of periods, but Gwinnett busted the game open in the final 20 minutes. Derek Nesbitt scored his second goal of the night and Danick Paquette added his first goal as a pro just 44 seconds later early in the period to open up a 4-2 lead. Tim Miller chipped in a late shorthanded empty-netter to cap a 5-2 win. Chris Carrozzi stopped 32 of 34 shots for his second win in a row.

This Week's Games:

October 28th, @ Trenton, 7:00 p.m. - North Georgia's News Talk AM 550 & FM 102.9 WDUN

October 29th, @ Trenton, 7:00 p.m. - www.wdun.com

October 30th, @ Elmira, 7:35 p.m. - North Georgia's News Talk AM 550 & FM 102.9 WDUN

The Gladiatiors (3-0-0-1) wrap up the month of October on the road, as they'll take on two of the three Atlantic Division teams: the Trenton Devils and the Elmira Jackals. Trenton is off to a bit of a rough start, dropping three of their first four games. Offensively forward Trevor Kell has carried the load early, posting seven points in Trenton's four games (three goals, four assists). In goal Jeff Lerg and Dave Caruso have gotten off to a slow start, combining for a 4.78 GAA and a .877 save percentage. Elmira on the other hand has yet to lose a game in regulation, going 3-0-0-2 to lead the division as of October 25th. This match up will feature all five of the top scorers in the league, as forwards Michael Dubuc (six goals, three assists, T-1st), Justin Donati (three goals, five assists, T-3rd), and Yannick Tifu (two goals, six assists, T-3rd) will lead the Jackals against Gwinnett forwards Aaron Bendickson (two goals, seven assists, T-1st), and Derek Nesbitt (five goals, three assists, T-3rd).

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