Checkers "beat the heat" with 4-2 win over Columbia's Inferno

Published on January 14, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release


(Columbia, South Carolina - Saturday, January 13) Checkers Head Coach Derek Wilkinson wasn't getting much sleep this week. His team had a frustrating three-game series in Florida last weekend and earlier this week. The series saw Charlotte surrender third-period leads twice, give up six short-handed goals, allow soft goals by both netminders, and see veterans making bad decisions at crucial times.

But the Checkers were able to get a point in each of the last two games in Florida, and then reeled off three wins this week to extend their unbeaten streak to five at 3-0-2. Wilkinson should be sleeping much better this coming week.

The latest win was a 4-2 triumph over the Columbia Inferno Saturday night in South Carolina. Charlotte's Mike Ouellette scored twice and added an assist, and goalie Alex Westlund made 27 saves to earn his ninth win of the season in leading the Checkers (20-14-3 for 43 points) to victory. Blake Bellefeuille and Hugh Jessiman also scored single goals for Charlotte.

The Inferno got goals from Steve McJannet and Jeff Miles, as the Checkers beat Columbia for the second time this week and lead the nine-game season series 3-0-0. Inferno goalie Robert Gherson suffered the loss with 23 saves.

"We didn't let the bad rink and ice in Columbia hamper our game tonight," commented Charlotte captain Jan Vodrazka. "This week will help us a lot with our confidence. Even though we went 0-1-2 in Florida and didn't get a win, we played right with them and they're one of the best teams in the league. Our good play in Florida really carried over this week and it showed as we won three straight."

Bellefeuille gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal at 11:28 of the first period. Columbia tied the game at 1-1 with five minutes to go in the second period, when McJannet backhanded in his eighth goal of the season top shelf.

Late in the second stanza Charlotte got the lead back on the power play as Adam Nightingale made a beautiful back-handed pass to Ouellette for an easy tap in and a 2-1 Checkers advantage.

In the third period Jessiman's tally and Ouellette's second goal of the game gave Charlotte a 4-1 lead. Columbia got their second goal of the game with nine minutes remaining from Miles, but could get no closer as the Checkers secured the 4-2 victory.

CHECKERS SATURDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, John Donnelly, Ryan Constant and Dan Murphy.

FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1329

Due to the ECHL All-Star break, the Checkers won't play until Friday when they'll host the South Carolina Stingrays at Charlotte Bobcats Arena at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for all Checkers home games can be purchased on the official team web site at www.gocheckers.com, on the telephone by using a credit card and calling 1-800-495-2295, or by visiting the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from January 14, 2007


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.

OurSports Central