San Diego jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Chris Lynch at the 12:16 mark of the first period. Lynch squirted down the left wing and muscled his way to the front of the net where he beat Gladiators netminder Adam Berkhoel. Brian Gornick and Nikita Korovkin added the assists on the goal.
Max Birbraer extended the San Diego lead to 2-0 later in the first period. Curtis Brown added an assist on the goal feeding Birbraer in the slot for the tally. David Karpa also picked up a helper on the goal at 13:39 of the first period.
Brad Schell cut the San Diego lead to 2-1 with his 12 goal of the season. Picking up the puck in the neutral zone, Schell ripped a slap shot from the top of the left wing circle that had enough on it to get past San Diego netminder Eddy Ferhi. Jeff Campbell and Randy Dagenais added the assists on the goal at 9:14 of the second period.
San Diego pushed their lead back to two goals on a 5-on-3 power play late in the second period. Dave Karpa ripped a snapshot from the left wing circle that beat Berkhoel to the far post. Andrew Canzanello and Brett Draney picked up the assists on the Gulls' power play goal at 17:44 of the second period.
Mike Vigilante pulled the Gladiators within one as he picked up a power play goal at 16:41 of the third period. Kevin Doell and Brad Schell hooked up with Vigilante to pick up the assists on the goal but Gwinnett could get no closer.
Adam Berkhoel finished with 24 saves in the loss as the Gladiators fall to 35-23-8 on the season.
The Central Division Champion Gwinnett Gladiators continue their second season at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Friday, April 1st as they host the Augusta Lynx at 7:35 p.m. The Gladiators offer several ticket packages for different needs as well as group outings, suites and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to www.gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators play all 36 home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center located on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth and are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/3/137670