Milo Assists Pave Way to 4-3 Gladiators Win

By Dustin Bixby

Justin Milo set a team season high with four assists for the Gwinnett Gladiators in the 4-3 victory over the Elmira Jackals Thursday (Jan. 26) night. The Glads (21-12-7-3) remain tied for first with the Greenville Road Warriors in the ECHL South Division.

The Gladiators took an early lead in the opening period at 4:56 with a power play goal from Brian Brutlag. Tyler Murovich dropped the puck behind the net for Milo to pick up and pass to Brutlag for the first marker of the game to give Gwinnett the 1-0 lead.

At 7:34 into the period Milo and Murovich played catch with puck on the far side until Murovich found Nikita Kashirsky on the backside post where he beat Jackal netminder Timo Pielmeier for another power play goal. Milo and Murovich added one more point each on the goal.

Elmira answered later in the period at 11:35 with a goal from Dustin Gazley to cut the lead 2-1. Josh Brittain and Louie Caporusso had the assists for the Jackal’s first goal of the game.

Gwinnett ended the opening period with a 2-1 advantage and outshot Elmira 12-to-8.

To start the second period, the Jackals tied the game 2-2 with a marker from Caporusso just 2:42 into the period. Gazley added his second point of the game with the helper.

The Gladiators responded to the goal on a man advantage at 9:48 into the middle period. Murovich started the play at the half wall and gave puck to Milo who called for it just below the near side circle. Milo sent the puck across the front of the net for Dallas Jackson to hammer past Pielmeier. The Glads regained the lead 3-2.

With just under 30 seconds left in the second period, Pat Galivan collected his first point of the game with a goal to give the Glads a two-goal advantage. He is now tops for Gwinnett in scoring with 25 points on the season. Jackson and Milo had the helpers. Gwinnett ends the period on top 4-2.  

Elmira’s NHL vet Craig Rivet added another marker on the board for the Jackals at 15:08 into the final period to make the score 4-3. Dustin Gazely earned his third point (one goal, two assists) on the night with the helper. Maxime Gratchev had the other assist.

The Glads power play went three-for-six on the night, which helped them jump five spots in the league’s power play rankings. 

Jakiatis collected his 15^th win on the season with 20 saves.

The Gladiators will return to the Saturday (Jan. 28) night to battle the Elmira Jackals at 7:05 p.m.

(Editor's note: This report on the game was provided by Dustin Bixby, vice president of communications and new media for the Gwinnett Gladiators.)