ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

Published on December 19, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators took back the top spot in South Division after their three-game win streak last week, giving Gwinnett 34 points for the season and an 13-8-5-3 record. Forward Joey Haddad remains the Glads leading scorer with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists). Netminder Jeff Jakaitis led the Gads to a 1-0 shutout against the South Carolina Stingrays Saturday night in North Charleston. This was Jakaitis' second shutout on the season. The Gladiators prepare to take on the South Carolina Stingrays Tuesday evening at the North Charleston Coliseum at 7:05 p.m.

The Week's Schedule:

Monday, 12/19: 10:30 a.m. - Practice at the Ice Forum, Duluth

Tuesday, 12/20: 7:05 p.m. - Game @ SC Stingrays

Wednesday, 12/21: Day Off

Thursday, 12/22: Day Off

Friday, 12/23: Day Off

Saturday, 12/24: Day Off

Sunday, 12/25: 7:30 p.m. - Practice at the Ice Forum, Duluth

South Carolina Stingrays Preview:

The Gladiators are 3-3-1-1 against the Stingrays this season. In their last two meetings this past weekend, Gwinnett came out on top with two wins and extended its lead atop the South Division to five points over South Carolina. Defensemen Paul Flache posted a shorthanded goal for Gwinnett Friday while Chris Clackson also had a marker to lead the team to a 2-1 win over the Rays. Netminder Jeff Jakiaitis had a shutout Saturday to lead the Glads to a victory. South Carolina's David de Kastrozza has notched three goals against Gwinnett this season.

Last Week's Results:

Thursday, December 15: Gwinnett Gladiators, 4, Florida Everblades, 2 - W

The Gwinnett Gladiators broke a five game winless streak with a 4-2 win over the Florida Everblades Thursday night at the Arena Gwinnett Center. Defensemen Cody Brookwell broke a 2-2 tie for Gwinnett late in the third period to put the Glads up 3-2 and Chris Clackson put the game away with his third goal of the season. Joey Haddad notched two points for the Glads with a goal and an assist in the win.

Friday, December 16: Gwinnett Gladiators, 2, South Carolina Stingrays, 1 - W

The Gwinnett Gladiators picked up a 2-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night. Defenseman Paul Flache had a shorthanded goal for the Gladiators in the opening period of the game. Gwinnett's Chris Clackson notched the second goal in the third period. Brian Brutlag and Tyler Murovich both had two assists for the win.

Saturday, December 17: Gwinnett Gladiators, 1, South Carolina Stingrays, - W

Jeff Jakaitis made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season to help lift the Gwinnett Gladiators to a 1-0 win over the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night in Charleston, S.C. Will Colbert posted his second goal of the season just 36 seconds into the second period for the only scoring of the game. With the win, Gwinnett extends its lead atop the South Division to five points over the Stingrays.

News & Notes:

Sensational Scarecrow: Gladiators goaltender Jeff Jakaitis was busy this past week, starting all four games for the Glads and turning in strong performances in all four games. Jakaitis went 3-0-0-1 on the week, turning aside 113 of 119 shots faced for a sparkling .950 save percentage. He capped it all off with his second shutout of the season Saturday in South Carolina.

Potent PK: Over their last eight games, the Gladiators have held their opponents to just 2-for-32 on the powerplay (6.25 %).

First! The Glads scored first in each of their three wins this past week. Gwinnett is now 10-3-0-2 when opening the scoring in a game this season.

Saving the Best for Last: Statistically the Glads are the best team in the ECHL in the third period this season. Gwinnett has outscored opponents 33-19 in the final period of regulation so far this season, and their +14 goal differential is the best mark in the league.

Brutlag Boost: Forward Bryan Brutlag had two games with two assists this past week. The rookie out of R.P.I. now has at least a point in seven of his last 11 games.

Penchant for Penalties: Not only is forward Joey Haddad Gwinnett's leading scorer, but he also leads the team in penalty minutes. Haddad has taken at least one penalty in eight games in a row. Despite his penalty minutes, he also had a four game goal-scoring streak going until it was snapped 12/16 at South Carolina.

The Past is the Present: December 17, 2010, the Gladiators fell 1-0 in Greenville on a converted overtime penalty shot by Mark Voakes against then-Gwinnett goalie Billy Sauer. One year later, the Glads knocked off South Carolina on the road...by a 1-0 final.

Speaking of Sauer: Goalie Billy Sauer returned to Gwinnett for the first time as a member of the visiting team on 12/15. He made 33 saves in a losing effort for the Florida Everblades, wearing the same #41 that Bobby Goepfert had worn the year before. Goepfert was the Florida goalie that Sauer fought last December in a line brawl between the two teams.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, December 26: Holiday Hockey

Wednesday, December 28: Festivus for the Rest of Us

Friday, December 30:

Winter Coat Drive - Bring gently used coats and/or winter apparel and receive the opportunity to purchase up to four (4) premium/corners level tickets in section 119 or 116 for only $10! (That's a savings of up to $10 off the day of game walk up price).

Friendly Friday - Get a corner level ticket in 115 & a hot dog and beverage (or with a pizza slice and beverage) for only $20 or get a corner level ticket in 115 and a kids meal for only $15.

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