Checkers drop finale of four-game week, 2-1 at Gwinnett
December 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Duluth, Georgia - Sunday, December 17) The Charlotte Checkers saw their four-game winning streak come to a close in a 2-1 defeat Sunday afternoon to the Gwinnett Gladiators in Duluth, Georgia. Gwinnett defenseman John Awe scored both Gladiators' goals, with the tallies coming on the power play. Charlotte got its' lone goal of the game from Nathan Gillies, while Chris Holt suffered the loss in goal with 30 saves. Gladiators' goalie Dan Turple earned the win making 21 saves. Gwinnett outshot the Checkers 33-22. Despite the loss, Charlotte did win three of four games during the week.
Referee Jason Rollins had to leave the game after the first period due to a personal emergency. Linesman Jameel Chaudry took over as referee for the final two periods. Between Rollins and Chaudry, 19 minor penalties were called with Gwinnett getting nine power-play attempts while Charlotte received eight.
"I really like this group and was real happy with how hard they played the entire game despite today being our third game in as many days," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "It's tough when you play as well as we did against an excellent Gwinnett team and not come away with at least a point, but we still had a good week winning three of four games."
The Checkers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the contest as Mike Ouellette passed the puck to Gillies on a two-on-one break. Gillies beat Turple with a one-timer for an early Charlotte advantage.
The Gladiators tied the game at 1-1 at 10 minutes, 26 seconds of the first period as Awe's shot from the center point eluded Holt. Early in the second period Gwinnett scored to take a 2-1 lead, and advantage they would not relinquish. Awe tallied his second goal of the game on a near identical shot from the center point as his first goal.
For the rest of the game the Checkers produced several quality scoring opportunities, but they just narrowly missed the net or were frustrated by a good save by Turple.
In the final minute of the third period Wilkinson, pulled Holt for an extra attacker in an attempt to tie the game. The Checkers were able to muster two good chances with the sixth attacker, but were kept off the scoreboard and the Gladiators held on for the 2-1 triumph.
The loss dropped Charlotte's record to 15-10-1 for 31 points. The victory raised Gwinnett's record to 15-7-4 for 34 points.
The Checkers next home game is Thursday, December 21 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena against the Reading Royals. The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 23, but was moved to December 21 in November.
CHECKERS SUNDAY AFTERNOON SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson and Lee Falardeau.
FOR BOXSCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1199
Tickets for all Checkers home games can be purchased on the official team web site at www.gocheckers.com, on the telephone by using a credit card and calling 1-800-495-2295, or by visiting the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office.
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