CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Gwinnett Gladiators used goals by Jim Jackson and Mike Hamilton while Dan Turple finished with 23 saves to lead the Gladiators past the Charlotte Checkers 2-1 on Saturday night at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, North Carolina.
With the win, the Gladiators sweep the Checkers in the best-of-five Division Quarterfinal series and advance to the Division Semifinals. The Division Semi-Finals will begin in the middle of this upcoming week against an opponent to be determined.
The Gladiators and Checkers skated to a scoreless tie thorugh the first period of Game 3. Both teams had chances on the power play in the first period of the contest but could not covert on their chances. Gwinnett got outshot by a 9-7 margin in the opening period with Gwinnett's Dan Turple and Charlotte's Chris Holt stading strong for their respective clubs.
Gwinnett took a 1-0 lead on the Checkers at 6:53 of the second period. Hamilton deflected the puck past Holt for his second goal of the post season. Keeping the puck in at the blue line, Jeff Mason ripped a slap shot that was deflectd by Hamilton for the marker. Ryan Mahrle added an assist on the power play goal for Gwinnett.
Jackson's second goal of the post season gave Gwinnett a 2-0 lead on the Checkers in the second period. Picking up a rebound in the slot, Jackson took his time and flicked the puck past Holt for the marker at 15:49 of the second period. Jamie Milam and Jeff Campbell had the assists on the goal as a Gladiators power play expired.
Charlotte got within a goal in the third period. Lee Falardeau ripped a slap shot from the left wing circle that eluded Dan Turple's glove and rolled into the net for the goal at 14:52 of the third period. Kirk DeWaele notched an assist on the goal for the Checkers.
Despite pulling Holt with a little more than a minute left in the thrid period, Charlotte could get no closer. Gwinnett missed an empty net chance with about 20 seconds left in the thrid period to ice the contest but the Gladiators clamped down defensively for the win.
The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season with Game 1 of the Division Semifinals. Log on to the Gladiators website, www.gwinnettgladiators.com for the latest on the Gladiators next round playoff series.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.
The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.
Sunday
May 4th, 2025
6:43AM
