Checkers Drop Dogfight to Florida 3-2
Published on April 13, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Fort Myers, Florida - Friday, April 13) Game 1 was a typical, old-fashioned hard nosed playoff game that kicked off the Charlotte Checkers ECHL South Division Semi-Final playoff series with the Florida Everblades. But when it was over the Checkers could only take heart that they played well, settling for a 3-2 loss Friday night in Fort Myers, Florida.
A fluke goal that deflected off a Florida player's shoulder and found its way into the back of the Charlotte net in the second period proved to be the game-winner. Adam Taylor was credited with the goal as the Everblades took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Florida got out to a one-goal lead twice, only to see the Checkers tie. Bruce Graham and Blake Bellefeuille scored for the Checkers, with the Everblades goals coming from Taylor, Vince Bellissimo and Franklin McDonald. Charlotte goalie Chris Holt played solid despite seeing his five-game winning streak, which dated back to the final week of the regular season, come to an end. The streak included three regular-season wins and two playoff victories. Holt finished the game with 29 saves. Florida goalie Craig Kowalski also played well as he notched the win with 24 saves.
Charlotte has one victory at Germain Arena in six games played here this season. After a 3-1 regular-season win here on October 28, the Checkers have dropped four straight on Florida's home ice, including Friday's playoff defeat. Game 1 was also very physical and chippy, as referee Chris Cozzan called nine minors on the Checkers and six on Florida.
Despite the loss, Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson was upbeat after the game. "It was a good, old-fashioned playoff game out there," remarked Wilkinson. "There was lots of intensity, good goaltending and both teams earned their goals. It was a real physical game, and I was real happy with the game except for the outcome."
Florida grabbed a 1-0 lead at 5 minutes, 46 seconds of the first period. Parsons got around the Checkers defense, but his initial shot was stopped by Holt. After Mike Card's followup shot was blocked, the puck came out in front to Bellissimo who scored from the slot.
Charlotte tied the game late in the period at 17:12. Steve Slonina passed the puck from behind the Florida goal out to front to a wide-open Graham, who rifled home his first playoff goal to tie the game at 1-1.
In the second period Florida scored twice on the power play, sandwiched around an even-strength goal by the Checkers. At 5:39 the Everblades seized the lead as McDonald scored for a 2-1 Florida advantage. For the second time in the game Charlotte would tie it, as Mark Lee passed the puck in the slot to Bellefeuille who tapped it by Kowalski.
The Checkers were the victims of a bad bounce that allowed Florida to re-take the lead again at 14:02 on another power-play goal. McDonald's shot from the left point deflected off of Taylor's shoulder, and over Holt's shoulder into the net. A minute later Charlotte thought they had tied the game after Kowalski made a save, but then released the puck. Slonina retrieved the loose disc at the side of the Everblades goal and backhanded it in the net. But Cozzan lost sight of the puck and blew the whistle, denying the Checkers the tying goal.
The Checkers took two penalties in a scoreless third-period, which hampered their chances of a comeback. "We played pretty well, but need to tighten up some in our defensive zone," remarked Bellefeuille. "We took a few too many penalties, but if we tighten those up I think we're looking pretty good for tomorrow night."
Game 2 of the best of 5 series continues Saturday night in Florida at 7:30 p.m. Game 3 shifts to Charlotte at Bobcats Arena on Tuesday with face-off time set for 7:00 p.m.
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