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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers clinch third spot in South Division with win over Sea Wolves

March 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte N.C. - It was commonly accepted that the Checkers would start the playoffs in the third spot in the South Division but after the 5-3 win at home against the Mississippi Sea Wolves, it became official.

The Checkers roared out of the gate in the first period scoring three goals during the initial stanza. The first goal was scored by Matt Shepke when Ryan Murphy forced a turnover on the Sea Wolves blueline. Murphy skated in and sent a pass across to Shepke who made no mistake burying the puck past a sprawling Mississippi goaltender Ryan Munce at 9:13. Charlotte defenseman Steve Ward scored his first goal as a Checker when he joined the rush and flipped in a rebound off a Ryan Hiller shot at 11:24. Later, the Checkers sported a two-man advantage and Michel Leveille tucked the puck just under the crossbar over the shoulder of Munce at 16:08 putting Charlotte up 3-0.

The Checkers took a 4-0 lead on another goal by Shepke when he stood at the lip of the crease and bashed in a rebound on a point shot by Kenny Smith at 14:03. The Sea Wolves would cut the lead in half with the remainder of the period when they got a goal by Kyle McAllister at 16:18 after he snuck a shot past Checkers goalie Jeff Jakaitis. Later, it was Mark Rooneem wrist shot over the glove of Jakaitis at 18:13 that cut the lead to 4-2. The Checkers were eager to skate off the ice and regroup after forty minutes of action.

The third period would result in the cushion the Checkers wanted and it was off the stick of Marty Guerin when he deeked Munce after taking a nice pass from Leveille. Guerin tucked the puck into the net at 12:58. Despite a last gasp goal by Mississippi from Ryan Munei at 18:46 the Checkers got the victory by a score of 5-3.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next home game takes place on March 30 against the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 7 P.M. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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