Despite chances at both ends of the ice, the Gladiators and Ice Pilots skated to a scoreless tie through the first period. Gwinnett finished the period outshooting Pensacola by a 9-8 margin but both Gladiators netminder Craig Kowalski and Pensacola netminder Cam Ellsworth stood strong turning aside all the shots they faced.
Jeff Campbell's 8th goal of the season broke a scoreless tie in the second period. Parked along the goal line, Campbell took a cross ice pass from Tomas Pospisil before whipping the puck past Ellsworth for the marker. Jamie Milam also collected an assist on the 5-on-3 power play goal for Gwinnett at 11:54 of the second period.
Gwinnett took a 2-0 lead on the Ice Pilots at 7:11 of the third period. Jim Jackson collected his 49th career ECHL goal as he ripped a slap shot from the left wing circle past Ellsworth for the power play marker. Andy Brandt and Mike Hamilton collected the assists on the power play goal for Gwinentt.
Pensacola got back within a goal just 42 seconds later. Dan Sullivan got the Ice Pilots on the board finding a loose puck in a pile up in front of the Gwinnett net and slipped the puck past Kowalski for the marker at 7:53 of the third period.
Lou Dickenson regained the momentum for Gwinnett at 12:56 of the third period. Dickenson notched his team leading 17th goal of the season ripping a snapshot past Ellsworth from 15 feet in front of the net. Dickenson finished a 2-on-1 break with Andy Brandt to set up the marker.
Kowalski finished with 33 saves for the Gladiators in the win. Gwinnett finished with a pair of power play goals on five chances while the Gladiators were perfect killing off the Ice Pilots only power play chance in the win.
The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Sunday, January 27th as they host the Pensacola Ice Pilots at the Arena at Gwinnett center at 4:05 p.m. Catch all the play-by-play action in Sunday's game online via AccessNorthGa.com on Access Radio streamming channel 3.
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.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206230