Jakaitis Silences Greenville Road Warriors

Gwinnett Gladiators netminder Jeff Jakaits silenced the Greenville Road Warriors with a 33 save performance in a 3-0 shutout on Friday night at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth. The Gladiators regain sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with 58 points on the year. In the win, forward Andy Brandt played his 263rd game as a Gwinnett Gladiator, setting a team record for most games played by a Gwinnett Gladiator in team history.

The Gladiators jumped ahead 1:08 into the first period with the opening marker from Justin Milo. Milo beat Road Warrior netminder Jason Missiaen over the shoulder for the goal. Nikita Kashirsky took a backhanded shot just inside the crease, where Milo picked it up and put it in the net. Pat Galivan collected the other assist for Gwinnett. Kashisrky extended his point-scoring streak for a team season high of nine consecutive games for the Gladiators.

At 13:20 into the middle period, Gladiator defenseman Dallas Jackson took his time along the blue line on the power play before he found his spot at the point. He ripped the puck through traffic in front of the net for the second goal of the game. Galivan notched his second assist of the night giving him 30 points on the season. Gwinnett held on to the 2-0 advantage to end the middle period.

Milo collected his second goal of the night for the Gladiators second power-play goal at 5:33 into the final period. Milo took the shot at a bad angle but was able to beat Missiaen to give Gwinnett their third marker of the game. Milo’s pair of goals gave him his first multiple goal games of the 2011-12 season. Tyler Murovich had the assist.

Gwinnett played well defensively throughout the night and helped Jakaitis collect his fifth shut out of the season. He tied his career season best for most shutouts in a single season for the goaltender. Jakaitis had 33 saves in the win and continues to add to the record for most shut outs for a Gwinnett Gladiator.

The Gladiators play the Greenville Road Warriors again at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the .

(Editor's note: Game report provided by the Gwinnett Gladiators.)