Picking up the pace: coming off a successful weekend, the Atlanta Gladiators look for more in home and home series this weekend against the Savannah Ghost Pirates

After coming off their holiday break and once the Professional Hockey Players' Association (PHPA) and owners come up with an agreement to conclude their work stoppage (click HERE for more information), the Atlanta Gladiators have a sound return to the ice last weekend and resumption of their winning ways. In their first 2 games since coming off their extended break, they've outscored their opponents by a combined 10-4 margin, continuing their push towards the top of the ECHL South Division Standings. After 27 regular season games, the team's record of 21-6-0-0 (42 points) has them only 1 point out of 1st place (the Florida Everblades have the top spot in the division with 43 total points, but have played 2 more games than Atlanta).

In allowing 53 goals this season, they are the only team in the league allowing less than 2 goals per game (1.96 goals allowed per game). Led by the solid goaltending of Ethan Haider (a 10-3-0-0 record, a 2.48 goals allowed average, and a .922 save percentage) and T.J. Semptimphelter (an 11-3-0-0 record, a 1.44 goals allowed average, and a .947 save percentage), the team's defensively play is arguably the best in the league at this point in the season. Semptimphelter is named ECHL Goaltender of the Month (December), as he is undefeated in his 5 starts and sports a 1.60 goals allowed average and .944 save percentage for the month (December).

Offensively, the team's scoring pace is steadily picking up, including their 2 most recent games (averaging 5 goals per game). To date, they are scoring more than 3 goals per game (88 goals in 27 games for a 3.26 goals per game average). Even with season leading scorer Louis Doubon departing to play for the French Olympic Team (12 goals/18 assists/30 points in 25 games), Alex Young (9 goals/16 assists/25 points in 27 games) and recently acquired Jack O'Brien (13 goals/11 assists/24 points in 27 games) are among those providing offensive presence. Combined with the ECHL's Rookie of the Month (December), Isak Walter (8 goals/5 assists/13 points in 9 games), the team's balanced attack is providing major problems for their opponents and are integral to the team's winning ways.

This Friday (January 9th at 7:10pm EST), the team returns home to the Gas South District to take on a division foe, the Savannah Ghost Pirates (12-13-2-1/27 points/5th in the ECHL South). With it being Military Night (theme night), there are in-game tributes and recognition of local heroes along with those in our armed forces. They'll conclude the weekend (January 10th at 7pm EST) with their home and home as they'll travel to Enmarket Arena in Savannah to take on the Ghost Pirates.

The weekend provides an opportunity to #JoinTheBattle as they inch closer to midseason (72 total regular season games).

Notes: Photos and video highlights for this article are provided by the Atlanta Gladiators. You may catch up on our coverage (click HERE) along with player interview and in-game snapshots (click HERE).