Augusta wind blows in Charlotte
Published on December 26, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â For a homecoming, Cricket Arena sure had its share of new faces. The Charlotte Checkers finally returned home after an eight-game road trip with a host of recent additions to the team, only to be given an unfriendly welcome by American Conference East Division rival Augusta Lynx. The Checkers lineup has been riddled by injuries, a suspension, call-ups and even canceled flights. With five players suiting up with less than nine games in a Checkers uniform, the Checkers fell to the Lynx 5-4.
Checkers Head Coach Derek Wilkinson recognized the difficulty in getting so many newcomers to fit in on the team, but knew that hard work on the ice could make up for lack of team experience.
"The efforts we got (from the recent additions) were great, but we just can't keep taking these hits," he said after the game.
The Checkers started off hot, tying the game at one in the first period when defenseman Dan Preston rocketed home a Ryan Cuthbert pass from the face-off circle in front of Lynx goalie Matus Kostur, then took the 2-1 lead when Juris Stals faked everybody out with a nifty move for his sixth goal of the season. Dusty Jamieson's assist to Stals was his ninth this year, giving him 18 points.
The Lynx, however, came roaring back, tallying three goals within five minutes of each other in the second period. Augusta was led by left wing Ken Magowan, who added to his team-leading goal total with his 10th and 11th on the season, and right wing Todd Bennet, who scored once and assisted on two other goals, giving him 15 points thus far.
Despite playing without regular contributors like Steve MacIntyre (called up to Hartford), Eddie Pershin (serving a suspension), Rory Rawlyk (food poisoning), and Ryan Lang and Kelly Guard (flight problems), the Checkers fought until the final second. Forward Aaron Smith, who had only been with the team for four games, even brought the team back to within a goal, as he rang the bell 10:27 into the third, making the score 5-4. It would prove to be the final.
Checkers goalie Alex Westlund finished the game with 23 saves on 28 shots, before he was pulled with one minute to go for one last six-man strike on the Lynx. The loss drops the Checkers record to 16-10-2 for 34 points. They return to Cricket Arena on Tuesday, December 28th to face the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:00 p.m.
ECHL Stories from December 26, 2004
- Gladiators Burnded by Inferno, 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grrrowl Down Pride 2-1 - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Boxing Day Blues - Louisiana IceGators
- Sea Wolves Stymie Wildcatters 4-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Augusta wind blows in Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Bombers Back On The Winning Track - Dayton Bombers
- Rivermen Nipped in Dayton 2-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Left wing/defenseman Jerant Reassigned from Worcester - Peoria Rivermen
- Lynx King Checkers 5-4 - Augusta Lynx
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
