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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers close out January 7-2-2

February 5, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers closed out January with a 3-2 shootout win at Columbia last Tuesday finishing the month with a 7-2-2 record. The Checkers opened February with a 3-2 win over Florida on Friday in front of a crowd of 9,570 and extended their home-win streak to six games. The Checkers traveled overnight to face Pensacola on Saturday and came up on the short end of a 3-1 game. The Checkers look to have a big week as they play three home games - all against divisional opponents - on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

CHECKERS THIS SEASON

24-16-3, 51 pts

LAST WEEK

2-1-0, 4 pts

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 @ Columbia, W, 3-2 The Charlotte Checkers didn't play their best but still prevailed in a shootout 3-2 Tuesday night against the Columbia Inferno at the Carolina Coliseum. Checkers goalie Chris Holt was clearly the difference-maker in the victory with 41 saves in regulation, stops on two penalty shots, and saves on three of five Columbia shootout attempts.

The Checkers were forced into overtime and the shootout after squandering a two-goal, third period lead. After a scoreless five-minute, sudden-death overtime session, the Checkers stormed out to a 3-1 advantage in the shootout. Charlotte's first three attempts in the shootout by Hugh Jessiman, Dan Murphy and Mark Lee all were successful against Columbia goalie Todd Ford. The Checkers eventually prevailed in the shootout, by outscoring the Inferno three goals to two to secure the two-point win.

Friday, February 2, 2007 vs. Florida, W, 3-2 The Charlotte Checkers rocked their largest crowd of the season on and off the ice Friday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Before an "80's night" crowd of 9,570, the Checkers (24-15-3 for 51 points) knocked off the Florida Everblades 3-2 to win their sixth straight home game.

The victory was Charlotte's seventh in its' last eight games overall, and raised its' record to 7-1-2 in its' last ten games. Daymen Rycroft, Mark Lee and Hugh Jessiman scored goals for the Checkers, while Chris Lee had both Florida tallies.

Charlotte goalie Alex Westlund gained his fourth win in his last five starts with 24 saves to improve his overall record to 11-5-3. Florida's rookie netminder David Schantz, a second round draft pick of the NHL's Florida Panthers, absorbed the loss with 26 saves.

Saturday, February 3, 2007 @ Pensacola, L, 1-3 The Charlotte Checkers ran into a hot goaltender Saturday night, and dropped their first game of the week in a 3-1 loss to the Pensacola Ice Pilots in Florida . Goalie Michael Mole made 33 saves for the Ice Pilots while Pensacola scored single goals by Mike Wirll, David Wrigley and Niko Tuomi. The Checkers lone goal was scored by Daymen Rycroft, while netminder Chris Holt had his personal three-game winning streak snapped with the 26-save loss. The defeat was only the Checkers second in their last nine games and despite the loss, Charlotte (24-16-1-2 for 51 points) still sports an excellent record of 7-2-2 in its last 11 contests.

GAMES THIS WEEK Thursday, February 8, 2007 vs. South Carolina, 7:00 pm ET Saturday, February 10, 2007 vs. Texas, 7:30 pm ET Sunday, February 11, 2007 vs. Columbia, 4:00 pm ET

CHECKERS NEWS

- The Checkers have won their last six games at home.

- The Checkers have won 7 of their last 9 games.

- Bruce Graham is ranked 9th in the ECHL with 23 goals.

- Alex Westlund is ranked 10th in the ECHL with a Save Percentage of .912.

- Alex Westlund has won 4 of his last 5 starts.

- Chris Holt has won 3 of his last 4 starts.

CHECKERS LEADERS

Goals: Graham, Bruce (23)

Assists: Lee, Mark (27)

Points: Lee, Mark (40)

Plus/Minus: Smith, Kenton (+8)

PIM: Vodrazka, Jan (118)

Wins: Holt, Chris (13)

GAA: Westlund, Alex (2.86)

Save Pct.: Westlund, Alex (.913)

CHECKERS BROADCAST INFO

Tune into all Charlotte Checkers away games as they broadcast on TEAMLINE. Fans can click the TEAMLINE logo on the Checkers website, www.gocheckers.com, or listen on the phone at 800-846-4700, code 2820. Fans can also watch several games this season on the B2 Network. Click the B2 Network logo on the Checkers website to view a list of available games as well as watch the game live. On the web or on the phone, listen as the voice of the Checkers, Tim Donelli, brings you all of the Checkers action.

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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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