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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly Update

January 3, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


The Gwinnett Gladiators prepare to take on division rival Florida Everblades this weekend for a two-game set at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Gwinnett (15-9-6-3) remains tops in the South Division with 39 points, just one point ahead of the Everblades and the Greenville Road Warriors. The Gladiators picked up four of a possible six points last week as they went 2-1-0-0 to remain in the top spot. The Gladiators next nine games are against Florida and Greenville, the two teams who share second with 38 points each on the season.

Florida Everblades Preview:

The Florida Everblades have won six straight and have moved into a tie for second place with the Greenville Road Warriors in the ECHL's South Division with 38 points. The Everblades have overcome a 2-6-0-1 record to start the season. Matt Beca leads the Everblades in scoring with 28 points this season off of 10 goals and 18 assists in 31 games and he leads Florida in scoring against Gwinnett this season with 7 points against the Gladiators in 8 games this year.

Last Week's Results:

Monday, December 26: Gwinnett 4, South Carolina 0 - W

Gwinnett Gladiators goaltender Jeff Jakaitis picked up his second straight shutout against the South Carolina Stingrays with 21 saves on the night in a 4-0 win Monday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Gladiators Chris Clackson and Justin Milo each had a goal and an assist in the win.

Wednesday, December 28: Gwinnett 3, South Carolina 0 - W

The Gwinnett Gladiators won their second straight game and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games as they knocked off the South Carolina Stingrays 3-0 on Wednesday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Jeff Jakaitis notched 27 saves for his second consecutive shutout for Gwinnett while Chris Clackson had a pair of goals including the winner to extend his goal-scoring-streak to three straight games.

Friday, December 30: Florida 3, Gwinnett 1 - L

The Gwinnett Gladiators seven game unbeaten in regulation streak was snapped on Friday night, falling 3-1 to the Florida Everblades. Captain Andy Brandt posted the lone goal for the Glads with the help of Justin Milo and Chris Clackson. Jeff Jakaitis' bid to set a new ECHL record for longest shutout sequence by a goalie fell 20:32 short of setting a new record.

News & Notes:

At the Top: Gladiators goaltender Jeff Jakaitis currently leads the ECHL among netminders with a .946 save percentage. He also ranks first in the ECHL when ranked by goals against average with a 1.66 GAA on the season.

Another Blanking! Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis notched his fourth shutout of the season for Gwinnett in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the South Carolina Stingrays. He is one shutouts shy of tying his career season best for most shutouts in a season. He notched 5 while with the Charlotte Checkers in the 2008-09 season. Jakaitis tied the Gladiators team record for most shutouts by a goaltender in a single season matching the mark of 4 notched by Michael Garnett in the Gladiators inaugural 2003-04 season.

Three Straight: Jakaitis posted the 3-0 shutout of South Carolina on Wednesday to tie the ECHL record for most consecutive shutouts by a goaltender with three. Jakaitis posted a 1-0 win over South Carolina on December 17th, had a 4-0 win over the Stingrays on December 26th and again blanked the Stingrays 3-0 on December 28th. He fell 20:32 short of setting the ECHL record for longest shutout sequence by a goaltender in ECHL History. Darryl Paquette of the Hampton Roads Admirals holds the ECHL record at 236:03 of consecutive shutout hockey.

In December: After a slow start to the season, Gladiators forward Chris Clackson has come on strong over the month of December. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native had a season high two goals to help Gwinnett to a 3-0 win over South Carolina on December 28th. He has notched seven goals and four assists for 11 points in December. He had just four points in October and November combined.

Another Helper: Andy Brandt collected his 13th assist of the season in the Gladiators 3-0 win over South Carolina on December 28th. For Brandt, he is on pace to set a new personal best in assists in a season with 28, eclipsing his previous mark of 26 helpers notched in the 2007-08 season.

Rookie Leader : Forward Bryan Brutlag collected his 9th assist of the season in the Gladiators 3-0 win over South Carolina on December 28th. It was the 17th point of the season for the Lakeville, Minnesota native who leads all Gladiators rookies in scoring through 33 games this season.

To the A: Gladiators forward Joey Haddad was called up to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL on December 26th. The Gladiators leading scorer with 22 points on the year makes his first trip of the season to the AHL. He has appeared in five games with the Sound Tigers but has not registered a point in the AHL.

Upcoming Events:

Friendly Friday: Fans can get a great deal on a ticket and concessions at one low price on Friday, January 6th at the Arena Gwinnett Center. Fans can purchase a corner level seat in section 115 and a hotdog at the concession for $20 (children are $15 and include a kids meal).

$5 Frenzy: Saturday, January 7th is the first $5 Frenzy of the 2011-12 season. It is Jersey Cooler Lunchbox night and fans can purchase the Gladiators premium item for just $5 on the arena concourse at the game. There are no limits on how many fans can purchase at the game but there are limited quantities on a first come, first served basis.

Teddy Bear Toss - It is the 9th Annual Teddy Bear Toss Night for Gwinnett Gladiators fans on Saturday, January 14th. We encourage all of our fans to bring a stuffed animal or teddy bear to throw onto the ice following the Gladiators first goal. All stuffed animals that are collected will be donated to local children's charities in North Georgia.

The Gladiators are the ECHL Affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and are members of the ECHL, the Premier "AA" Hockey League and play all home games at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

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