Checkers begin five-game week with 3-2 shootout win
February 9, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
COLUMBIA, SC: The Charlotte Checkers began one of the most grueling stretches in their 2004-05 season Tuesday night, playing game one of ten games in 14 days. The stretch got off to a good start as Charlotte defeated the Columbia Inferno 3-2 in a shootout at the Carolina Coliseum. After three periods and a five-minute sudden-death overtime session, the teams entered the shootout tied at 2-2.
In the shootout Checkers goalie Alex Westlund stopped all four Inferno shooters while Mike Wirll and Jason Dawe scored on Columbia goalie Mike Minard to give the Checkers the win and the two points. The Inferno earned one point for the shootout defeat.
Mike Harder and Eddie Pershin scored in regulation for Charlotte, and Westlund earned the victory in net with 25 saves. Derek Eastman and Darcy McConvey tallied goals for Columbia.
"It was a good win for us tonight and a great way to start this tough stretch of games," remarked Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "It's hard to believe we've won three of four games in this building so far this season. It's a tough place to play."
The Checkers fell behind 2-1 at the end of the first period of play. Columbia scored first on the power play when the Inferno converted a two-on-one break. Eastman took a pass from Trevor Demmans and blasted a 30 footer past Westlund for a 1-0 Inferno lead. With former Checkers forward Eric Boulton in the penalty box, Harder knocked home Kenton Smith's rebound at 8:27 to tie the game at 1-1. Columbia regained the lead at 12:28 as Darcy McConvey tipped Demmans' shot from the point past Westlund.
After a scoreless second period, Pershin tied the game at 2-2 tapping in his 17th goal of the season just 1:41 into the third period. Both goalies hunkered down from there and forced the game to the shootout where the Checkers prevailed.
Charlotte lost Steve MacIntyre early in the first period after he was assessed a game misconduct by referee Patrick Britt following a fight with Boulton. The Checkers also lost center Dwight Helminen late in the first period to an injury. Helminen did not return and will be diagnosed further in Charlotte on Wednesday.
Charlotte will continue its five-game in six-day schedule Wednesday night at Cricket Arena at 7:00 p.m. hosting the Pee Dee Pride.
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