Checkers cut down by Everblades, lose 6-3
February 16, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Fort Myers, FL. - The Checkers surrendered five unanswered goals in the middle stanza and they would drop a 6-3 decision to the Florida Everblades.
Charlotte would strike first during the opening period. Mark Lee skated inside the Everblades zone, cut to the middle and fired a shot on Florida goalie, Keven Nastiuk. The rebound was picked up by Lee Falardeau and flipped over the pad of the goaltender giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead at 7:02. Charlotte netminder, Mike Ayers was brilliant stopping 13 first period shots including a sparkling save during an Everblades two-man advantage where he stacked the pads to keep the puck out of a wide open net.
Florida would mount a ferocious second period comeback. J.B. Bittner picked up the puck, streaked down the left wing wall and blasted a shot that beat Ayers high over the catching glove. This tied the contest at 5:42. The Everblades would follow up with another tally. This time it was Ernie Hartlieb taking a shot during a two-on-one break slipping the puck between the legs of Ayers giving Florida a 2-1 lead at 7:08. Florida would strike during a power-play and it was a bad angle shot by Brad Zancanaro that hit the leg of Ayers and snuck into the net at 8:23. This gave Florida a 3-1 lead. The Everblades would receive two more goals from Brad Herauf and Preston Callander. Charlotte surrendered five unanswered goals during the middle stanza putting Florida up, 5-1.
Chris Holt would start the period in the net for the Checkers as Ayers was pulled after 40 minutes. The Checkers began the third period in good fashion when Kaleb Betts redirected a Jeff Kyrzakos shot over shoulder of Nastiuk at 1:46. The Everblades still held a comfortable 5-2 lead. The lead would be slashed to two goals after Dusty Jamieson deflected the Ryan Constant point shot at 7:33. The Everblades wouldn't look back though as they received one more goal by Jared Lukin at 17:25 on his one-timer over the glove of Holt. This sealed the game for Florida as they would win by a score of 6-3.
Notes: Nastiuk stopped 24 of 27 shots. Holt turned aside 6 of 7 in the final period. Ayers would stop 21 of 26 before being pulled...Only one power play goal was scored by the Everblades as both teams had five chances.
The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Feb. 20 against the Florida Everblades. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $175. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.
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