ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Charlotte wins second straight with 3-1 victory over Texas

December 19, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Beaumont, Texas - Sunday, December 19: Wins on the road are always welcome, and the Charlotte Checkers snagged their second in a row with a 3-1 victory over the Texas Wildcatters Sunday night in Beaumont. After a 4-3 shootout win Saturday night against the Wildcatters, Charlotte completed the two-game sweep as goalie Alex Westlund came up with a 52 save performance for his second straight win. The Checkers special teams were spectacular Sunday night, as Charlotte went 2-2 on the power play and killed off all four Texas power plays. The Checkers got goals from Eddie Pershin, Lee Falardeau and Dusty Jamieson. The Wildcatters lone goal came from Dean Stork.

The win improved the Checkers road trip record to 3-3-0 and raised their overall record to 15-8-2 for 32 points. The Wildcatters winless streak reached nine games (0-8-1) as their record fell to 5-14-6 for 16 points.

"Our guys are battling through the injuries and the rough schedule and it's nice to see," remarked Checkers Player / Assistant Coach Allan Egeland. " Alex (Westlund) made some key saves and our special teams were outstanding."

For the second straight game the Checkers took a 1-0 first period lead. Defenseman Paul Lynch blasted a shot from the point that Texas goalie Phil Osaer stopped. However the rebound caromed 20 feet out to Pershin who fired in his ninth goal of the season with 2:45 left in the period. As in Saturday night' s game, Charlotte dominated the first 20 minutes and outshot the Wildcatters 16-11.

In the second period Texas tied the game at 1-1 as Stork's shot from the blue line eluded Westlund just 4:33 into the period. Forty two seconds later Charlotte got the lead right back as Falardeau scored on a rebound off a Ryan Cuthbert shot for a 2-1 advantage. The Checkers increased their lead to 3-1 as Jamieson banged home a Kenton Smith rebound at 15:12. It was the fourth straight game where Jamieson has scored a goal. Texas outshot the Checkers 24-13 in the period but Westlund's 23 saves kept the Wildcatters at bay.

In the third period Charlotte's defense bended a little but didn't break, as the Wildcatters fired 18 more shots at Westlund. He remained superb as Texas could not muster another goal as the Checkers held off the Wildcatters for the 3-1 final.

The Checkers road trip continues Tuesday in Lafayette, Louisiana when Charlotte will take on the Louisiana IceGators as 8:05 p.m.

Following the eight-game road trip, the Checkers will return home to Cricket Arena to host the Augusta Lynx on Sunday, December 26 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets available at the Cricket Arena Box office, the Charlotte Coliseum box office, and at all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased on line at _www.ticketmaster.com_ (http://www.ticketmaster.com/) or by phone at (704) 522-6500. Group, season and mini-plan tickets cab be purchased through the Charlotte Checkers office by calling (704) 342-4ICE.

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ECHL Stories from December 19, 2004


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