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ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Newest Gladiators Make Impact, Shock League Best

December 13, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - With a new look lineup in place, the Gwinnett Gladiators defeated the South Carolina Stingrays, 3-2 Friday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in front of 8,010 fans on night 1 of Sing for Santa 2013. It's the second time this season that Gwinnett (7-14-0-2) has beaten the team with the best record in the league, this time thanks in large part to the play of the five newest Gladiators who were acquired in the past week.

The story of the game was goaltender Matt Cooper, who came in relief of Peter Delmas just a few minutes into the second period after the starter fell awkwardly on a puck clear. Cooper, who was making only his third professional appearance, stopped 16 of 18 and picked up an assist.

Despite the recent additions, it was the usual suspects for the Gladiators that helped the team jump out to a 1-0 lead at 16:21 of the first period. Joey Haddad scored his first goal since opening night on October 18th off of a slick cross-ice pass from Evan Bloodoff as the two were racing across the blue line.

In the second period, the new Gladiators chipped into the score. Maxime Legault scored on a power play rebound right in front of LeNeveu, shortly after Cooper entered the game. Assists on the goal came from Haddad and Antoine Corbin. Five minutes later, the Gladiators made it a 3-0 lead when Marshall Everson scored on a long shot as he crossed over the blue line. This time, Rob Kwiet and the goaltender, Cooper received assists. Just 40 seconds later, the Stingrays (16-3-1-2) got one back when Zach Currie flipped one over Cooper's shoulder, with an assist from Marc Hagel.

The lone goal of the third period came late in the stanza, with Wayne Simpson sneaking a shot five-hole on Cooper, but the Gladiators held the Rays to just six shots in the final period en route to the 3-2 win.

It was just the third regulation loss for the Rays this season, and their first regulation defeat on the road.

Join the Gladiators for day two of the 9th Annual Sing for Santa when the team faces the Orlando Solar Bears on Sunday, December 15th at 2:05 P.M. Over 1,000 local school children lead the home crowd in renditions of everyone's favorite holiday tunes. To purchase tickets, please visit www.gwinnettgladiators.com or call the front office at 770-497-5100.

The Gladiators are members of the ECHL, the nation's premier "AA" hockey league and are affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. All home games are played at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center,located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

For all the latest team news, contests, and more visit GwinnettGladiators.com, or "like" the Gladiators on Facebook (Facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators), and follow the team on Twitter (Twitter.com/GWTGladiators).

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