ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

Weekly: Gladiators Return Home for Puck Dynasty Weekend

Published on February 17, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


DULUTH, Ga. - After wrapping up their season series with Orlando with regulation and overtime losses, the Gwinnett Gladiators (18-27-2-2) gear up for three games this Friday-Saturday-Sunday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. For the first time this season the Gladiators will take on the Reading Royals on Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m., and on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Gwinnett will host the South Carolina Stingrays.

Scouting the Opposition

- The defending Kelly Cup Champion Reading Royals (28-17-1-1) enter the week with a firm grasp on first in the three-team Atlantic division, holding a four-point lead over the Wheeling Nailers with three games at hand. Reading has allowed the second-fewest goals against in the Eastern Conference so far this season (123), thanks in part to the outstanding goaltender Olivier Roy (13-7, 2.10, .922). Forward Ryan Cruthers paces the team offensively with 33 points (11 G, 22 A) in just 29 games, while former Gladiator forward Domenic Monardo leads the team with 15 goals in 46 games.

- The South Carolina Stingrays (30-14-1-3) have sat atop the East for much of the season despite a high number of call-ups, although they are just 4-5-0-1 in their last 10 games. Peter Boyd continues to fill the back of the net (16 G, 26 A, 44 GMS) while recently-acquired forward Dale Mitchell, a pickup from the now-defunct San Francisco Bulls, has four goals and three assists in four games as a Ray. No surprise here, but goaltender Jeff Jakaitis is tied for the league lead in goals against average (1.90) and boasts a terrific 23-8-1 record this season.

Upcoming Promotions

PUCK DYNASTY WEEKEND

Join the Gladiators for an ode to the hit TV series "Duck Dynasty". The team will be wearing special Arctic Camouflage uniforms all weekend that will be auctioned off for charity following Sunday's matinee.

Friday, February 21st: Friendly Friday The Friendly Fridays package is available for Kids and Adults and includes the following: $20 Adult Ticket + One (1) Corner Level Ticket (section 115 only)+ One (1) Jumbo Hot Dog - OR - One (1) Pizza Slice + One (1) Regular Soda (AND/OR) $15 Kids Ticket + One (1) Corner Level Ticket (section 115 only) + One (1) Kids Meal (Chicken Bites & Fries - OR - Hot Dog & Fries) + One (1) Kids Soda.

Saturday, February 22nd: $5 Fan Gear Frenzy, "BackNBlack" Performance Pick up the most popular $5 Fan Gear Frenzy Item - Mesh Replica Jerseys, featuring the same Artic Camo design the team will be sporting in their 2014 Specialty Jerseys for Puck Dynasty Weekend. Also Don't miss the in-game performance by renowned ACDC Tribute band BackNBlack.

Sunday, February 23rd: Specialty Jersey Auction, Kroger Family Sunday Join the Gladiators after the game Sunday for our 11th Annual Post-Game Specialty Jersey Auction featuring the "Snow Camo" Puck Dynasty design worn through the 2/21 - 2/23 weekend.

Looking Back

Friday, February 14th: Gwinnett 2 @ Orlando 4 - L Brenden Walker and Evan Bloodoff scored second period goals, but the Orlando Solar Bears held off the Gwinnett Gladiators Friday night 4-2 at the Amway Center. Tyler Matson paced the Bears with a goal and two assists, while Cody Reichard made 21 saves earning the win between the pipes. Mathieu Corbeil made 20 saves for Gwinnett.

Saturday, February 15th: Gwinnett 4 @ Orlando 5 - OTL The Gwinnett Gladiators had one of the hottest teams in the ECHL on the ropes Saturday night in front of 8,758 raucous fans at the Amway Center, but two goals by Mickey Lang carried the Orlando Solar Bears to a dramatic 5-4 win in overtime. Dirk Southern gave Gwinnett a 4-3 lead 9:49 into the third, as he took a feed from Joey Haddad and sniped a shot over the left shoulder of Orlando (28-16-1-2) goalie Cody Reichard. Josh Currie had the second assist. The Gladiators threatened several times to add to the edge, with Cody Reichard robbing Bobby Hughes with a lunging glove stop late in regulation to keep the Solar Bears alive. The league's leading scorer then drew Orlando even with just 9.8 seconds remaining in the third. With an extra attacker on the ice, Lang ripped his 28th goal of the season past a screened Scott Stajcer to tie the game at 4-4. After a Haddad high-sticking call early in overtime, Lang struck again, sliding a shot from the far circle under Stajcer to seal a 5-4 Bears win. Orlando extended its winning streak to six games, and its home winning streak to 10 games.

Glads Notes

Elite Everson: Rookie forward Marshall Everson has been on an absolute tear since the start of February. The Edina, MN native has at least a goal in four of six games, and at least a point in five of six. During that stretch, Everson has five goals, three assists, and is a plus-five.

Streaking Glads: Casey Pierro-Zabotel has one goal and six assists in his past four games, including a three-assist effort 2/15 in Orlando ... Evan Bloodoff has a goal in three of his past four games ... Defenseman Daniel Spivak has finished a game with a minus in only nine of his 44 games played this season, and hasn't gone below a minus-one. He leads the Gladiators with a plus-9 rating

Milestones: Evan Bloodoff is two games away from 100 as a Gladiator, and 100 in the ECHL ... Justin Weller played in his 100th game as a Gladiator, and as a professional last Saturday.

Snippets: When scoring three or more goals, the Gladiators are 17-5-2-1 ... Gwinnett is 13-0 when leading after two periods ... The Gladiators are 15-9-1-0 when scoring first, while opponents are 21-3 when Gwinnett gives up the first goal ... Gwinnett's PK at home has been outstanding in 2014, as visitors have gone a combined 2-for-32 (6.3%) on the man advantage since January 2nd.

We're Social: If you haven't already, check out the Gladiators on Facebook (Facebook.com/GwinnettGladiators) and on Twitter (Twitter.com/GWTGladiators) for all the latest news, team contests, and more! Also check out the team's FREE smartphone app for Apple and Android devices!

Check out the Atlanta Gladiators Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from February 17, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central