Checkers Bounce Back With 4-3 Win Over Trenton
February 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, NCâ February 8, 2003: The Charlotte Checkers rebounded from a dismal performance Friday night to secure a thrilling 4-3 win over the Trenton Titans Saturday night at Cricket Arena before 8,555, the largest crowd of the season. Dusty Jamieson, fresh off the injured reserve list after missing 18 games, scored the game-winning goal and also added an assist. Dan Preston, Nick Bilotto and Craig Weller also scored single goals for the Checkers while goalie Jeff Salajko snapped a personal five-game losing streak with the win making 26 saves.
"I was really happy the way the guys bounced back tonight, especially after being down 3-1 in the second period," exclaimed Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "Dusty Jamieson played like he was never out, and our special teams really stepped up tonight with three power play goals."
The Checkers scored first on a power play at 8:24 as Preston's slap shot eluded Trenton goalie Phil Osaer for a 1-0 lead. David Inman and David Evans assisted on the goal. The Titans tied the game at 1-1 as Mike Hurley deflected in a Sandy O'Brien shot by Salajko at 11:38. The Titans grabbed the lead at 2-1 on a power play goal by Mike Hurley at 17:55, his second of the night. Hurley riffled Eric Betournay's cross-ice pass by Salajko, with Adam Edinger also getting an assist. The Titans took the 2-1 lead to the locker room after one period of play.
Trenton made it 3-1 early in the second period as Marco Charpentier stole the puck from Checkers defenseman Kurt Seher and roofed the puck past Salajko at 1:51. Charlotte then came alive the rest of the period, scoring three unanswered goals for a 4-3 lead after two periods. The Checkers scored their second goal of the game on a power play, moving the puck around the perimeter until Nick Bilotto blasted one by Osaer at 3:20 to cut the Titans lead to 3-2. Charlotte got another power play goal at 15:48 as Weller blasted one in from the right point to tie the game at 3-3. The Checkers took their first lead at 17:39 of the period as Jamieson on the fly down the right wing and with a step on a Titans defenseman, backhanded one by Osaer for a 4-3 Charlotte advantage. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the third period, but neither team scored and the Checkers held on for the 4-3 final.
The win pulled the Checkers back to within seven points of the Titans for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division, and improved their record to 25-21-2 for 52 points. Trenton had its seven-game winning streak snapped and fell to 26-17-7 for 59 points. Charlotte will continue its seven-game homestand Tuesday night when they'll host the Greensboro Generals at Cricket Arena at 7:05 p.m.
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