ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Gladiators Weekly

Published on February 7, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


On the Bubble: With two losses to the Toledo Walleye last weekend, the race for the final playoff spots in the East tightened up significantly. As of Monday Gwinnett (20-21-2-5 - 47 pts) is hanging on to the sixth seed, but Kalamazoo (46 pts, 44 gp), Cincinnati (46 pts, 46 gp), Toledo (45 pts, 44 gp) and Elmira (45 pts, 44 gp) are all within striking distance.

Skip to Aliu: 21-year old Nigerian native Akim Aliu (ah-lee-OO) made a splash in his first couple weekends with the Gladiators. After being sent down from AHL Chicago in late January, Aliu scored two goals in each of his first two games with the Glads in Kalamazoo. He also added a goal on Friday against Toledo before being held pointless on Saturday.

Pat's All That: Forward Pat Galivan has been on a tear since the start of the new year. He has points in nine of his last 11 games with six goals and 12 assists over that stretch. Since snapping a 20-game scoreless drought on 1/14 at Greenville with a hat trick, Galivan has six goals in his last eight games.

Forney on Fire: The Glads All-Star representative, forward Michael Forney, has also been hot of late. He had a seven game point streak snapped on Friday (but his eight game road point streak still stands) and since the start of the new year he has six goals and 12 assists in 14 games.

Potent Power Play: The Gladiators are 13-for their last-47 (27.7%) on the powerplay over their last ten games.

Streak Snapped: Gwinnett's streak of having 35 or more shots in their last nine games was snapped Saturday against Toledo. They managed just 20 shots on goal, and nine through the first two periods.

Slump Buster: Gladiators forward Ian McKenzie snapped a 21-game goal scoring drought Saturday with a first period tally, his third of the season. He scored again in Friday's loss to Toledo.

A Full 60 Minutes:The score after the first two periods has been crucial for the Gladiators this season. Gwinnett is a perfect 14-0-0 this season when leading after two periods of play but the Gladiators are 2-18-6 when trailing after two periods of play this season.

Paq-Man Packs a Punch:Rookie forward and Thrashers prospect Danick Paquette is 8thin the ECHL in penalty minutes (130) in just 43 games, and leads rookies by far in that category. He snapped a ten-game penalty streak Saturday, and managed to snap a 15-game pointless streak Friday with an assist.

It's Miller Time: Forward Tim Miller was called up twice to the AHL in January, and went up for the third time last week to AHL Chicago. It will certainly be a tough loss for the Glads: with Gwinnett Miller scored seven goals, tacked on eight assists, and was a plus-seven despite missing two games on call-up in January. He also converted on the Gladiators first penalty shot attempt of the season on 1/30 in Kalamazoo.

Back in the "W" Column: Goalie Billy Sauer got the win on 1/30 in Kalamazoo, stopping 29 of 31 shots. It was his first win between the pipes for Gwinnett since November 27th against Toledo at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, a span of six starts and 25 games.

Last Week:

February 5th, Gwinnett 2, Toledo 5 - L The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA

For the second night in a row the Gwinnett Gladiators (20-21-7) had no answer for the Toledo Walleye (21-20-3), falling 5-2 Saturday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Dustin Cameron scored his first goal since joining the Glads, and Pat Galivan also added a goal with Mike Forney assisting on both tallies. Billy Sauer had 23 saves before he was relieved by Chris Carrozzi after the fourth goal. The Glads had just nine shots through two periods, and surrendered three goals in the second that would decide the game.

February 4th, Gwinnett 3, Toledo 6 - L The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, GA

The Gwinnett Gladiators suffered a 6-3 loss to the Toledo Walleye at the Arena at Gwinnett Center Friday night. The Walleye (20-20-3) gained ground on Gwinnett (20-20-7) in the Eastern Conference, pulling to within four points of the Glads having played four fewer games. Andy Brandt, Akim Aliu, and Ian McKenzie scored the goals for Gwinnett, with Chris Carrozzi taking the loss.

This Week's Games:

Friday February 11th @ South Carolina - 7:05 p.m.

Saturday February 12th vs. South Carolina - 7:05 p.m.

Sunday February 13th vs. South Carolina - 4:05 p.m.

This Week's Promotions:

Saturday 2/12: $5 Kid's Replica Jersey

We'll have 3,000 high-quality Gladiators Kids Replica Jerseys that will be on sale to all Gladiators fans in attendance for only $ 5.00 each. Simply visit our special $ 5.00 Kids Replica Jersey booths on the night of the game, show your ticket and you can buy as many of the Replica Jerseys as you want for only $5.00 each.

Sunday 2/13: Kroger Family Sunday

The only Kroger Family Sunday of February sees the South Carolina Stingrays visit the Arena at Gwinnett Center for the final time during the 10-11 regular season. Get a Kroger Family Sunday package for the game and get four (4) premium level tickets (in selected sections), $5 Gladiators Merchandise Coupon, One Gladiators Game Program and one (1) Kroger Family Meal (good for an 8 piece mixed wishbone baked chicken, 2 sides & a 2-Liter soda) all for only $ 50.00!

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 7, 2011


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