ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers beat Columbia 4-1 - Playoff opponent now set

Published on April 8, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Columbia, South Carolina - Friday, April 7, 2006) The Charlotte Checkers won their second straight contest and third game in their last four tries in a 4-1 victory over the Columbia Inferno Friday night in Columbia, South Carolina. The win allowed the Checkers to officially clinch fifth place in the ECHL's Southern Division, setting up an opening round playoff match up against the South Carolina Stingrays.

Game one of the best-of-three series will begin Monday, April 10 in Charleston at 7:00 p.m. Game two is back in Charlotte at Charlotte Bobcats Arena Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. Game three, if necessary, returns to Charleston Wednesday, April 12 with face-off set for 7:00 p.m.

Kris MacPhee scored a pair of goals for the Checkers while goalie Jeff Glass won his fourth straight with 32 saves. Juris Stals and Nathan Gillies scored the other Charlotte goals, with Marc Andre Bernier tallying the lone Inferno goal.

"We did what we had to do tonight to win the game," quoted Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. Jeff Glass had another outstanding game and Kris MacPhee has been getting better and better each and every game. We know now we're going to play South Carolina in the opening round of the playoffs and it should be an exciting series. These two teams have had a great rivalry since they both came into the ECHL in 1993, and have played many high-intensity games against each other over the years."

Stals gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead at 1:07 of the opening period, after Rick Kozak stole the puck in the Inferno zone. Stals' shot knuckled toward the goal and slipped by Columbia goalie Mike Brown. The Inferno struck back as Bernier beat Glass short side on a power play at 10:49 to tie the game at 1-1 after one period.

Charlotte struck for two goals in the second period to assume a 3-1 advantage after 40 minutes. Gilles beat Brown from the right circle for his 11th goal of the season at 6:17 for a 2-1 Checkers lead. MacPhee scored a beautiful deflection goal at 14:44 off a perfect feed from Rory Rawlyk. Glass stopped ten second-period Inferno shots to keep Columbia off the scoreboard.

MacPhee notched his second goal of the night for the third period's only goal at 8:40, and Glass made eleven final-period saves as the Checkers rolled to the 4-1 final.

The win allowed Charlotte to get back to the .500 mark at 33-33-5 for 71 points. Columbia fell to 25-38-8 for 58 points. The Checkers will close out the regular season Saturday night in Greenville when they'll face the Grrrowl at 7:00 p.m.

PLAYOFF TICKETS: Individual-game playoff tickets and total-game playoff packages are now on sale. Individual-game playoff tickets range in price from $12.00 to $27.00, a two-dollar per-ticket increase over regular-season prices. Fans purchasing total-game playoff packages will pay regular-season prices.

Playoff tickets can be purchased at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office and online at www.charlottebobcatsarena.com. Fans may also purchase playoff tickets by phone, using their credit card and calling the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office at 1-800-495-2295. Special playoff ticket requests, group playoff ticket information and 2006-07 season ticket information can be obtained by calling Checkers office at 704-342-4423. Additional ticket information can be obtained by visiting the Checkers web site at www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from April 8, 2006


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.

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