Glads Late Push Not Enough, Fall 4-3
Published on January 29, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI - Akim Aliu scored twice and added an assist in his Gwinnett debut, but the Gladiators fell 4-3 Saturday night at Wings Stadium to Kalamazoo.
The Wings (20-17-4) now trail the Gladiators (19-19-7) by just one point in the Eastern Conference standings, and have played four fewer games.
The Glads battled back in the second trailing 3-1 with two powerplay goals courtesy of the 21-year old Nigerian native Aliu. At 2:49 his first of the season brought Gwinnett within one, Forney and Galivan set up the play beautifully on a centering pass to Aliu off the far post.
Gwinnett struck again on a similar play at 9:10, with Galivan and Forney again setting up Aliu for a one-timer to the far post to even the game at three.
Kalamazoo did take back the lead late in the stanza. Trent Daavetilla beat Carrozzi from the low slot with the eventual game-winner to give the Wings a 4-3 lead into the third.
Despite having four chances on the powerplay in the third, outshooting Kalamazoo 16-1, and threatening with several quality opportunities late the Glads came up empty-handed and dropped their second straight game in regulation.
Chris Carrozzi stopped 29 of 33 shots, while Ryan Nie came up big down the stretch for Kalamazoo, turning away 44 of 47 shots.
Gwinnett went 2-for 7 on the powerplay, while Kalamazoo's second-ranked unit went 3-for-8.
Aaron Clarke opened the scoring just 2:46 into the first on the powerplay, beating goaltender Chris Carrozzi five-hole for a 1-0 Wings lead.
Just 19 seconds later Ian McKenzie tied it for Gwinnett, one-timing a fantastic centering pass from Akim Aliu through the wickets of Ryan Nie to tie the game at one. This was Aliu's first game with the Glads after playing 43 games with AHL Chicago earlier this season.
Kalamazoo came right back however, tallying two more powerplay goals to go 3-for-5 on the man advantage in the first period. Andrew Fournier's 22nd of the season at 11:42 made it 2-1, while Patrick Asselin chipped in another goal at 13:10 to push the lead to 3-1 at the end of one.
The Glads are next in action Sunday at 4:00 p.m. against Kalamazoo at Wings Stadium.
ECHL Stories from January 29, 2011
- Royals Drive Past Road Warriors, 4-2 - Reading Royals
- Kalamazoo Defeats Gwinnet 4-3 to Move into Second Place in the North Division - Kalamazoo Wings
- Nailers Power Past Devils - Wheeling Nailers
- Glads Late Push Not Enough, Fall 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Road Warriors Stumble Against Royals - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Hats off! Everblades ride Imbeault hat-trick to 7-3 win - Florida Everblades
- Defense Wins for Vegas in Victoria, 4-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Antoine Roussel Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- ECHL Transactions - January 29 - ECHL
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Everblades Sign Goalie Owen; Place McNicoll on IR - Florida Everblades
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Countdown to Faceoff: Devils at Nailers Tonight - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Today - January 29 - ECHL
- Aces Fight for 5-4 Win Over Condors - Alaska Aces
- Thunder now 8-0-1 in last 9, Beskorowany's 33 stops enough to halt streak - Stockton Thunder
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- A High-Five For The Devils in Toledo - Trenton Devils
- Victoria opens post All-Star Game schedule with 4-1 loss at home to Las Vegas - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Idaho nets shootout win over Thunder - Idaho Steelheads
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