ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers drop first game of three-game series to Everblades 9-7

Published on January 5, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Fort Myers, Florida - Friday, January) In a wild game at Germain Arena in Fort Myers, Florida Friday night, the Charlotte Checkers scored seven goals but lost. After erasing a 7-3 Everblades lead late in the third period, Florida scored two goals in the final 4 minutes, 51 seconds to earn a 9-7 victory over Charlotte.

Blake Bellefeuille scored four goals for the Checkers (17-14-1 for 35 points) and added an assist for a five-point night, while Daymen Rycroft added a goal and two assists for Charlotte. Mike Ouellette and Kurt DeWaele also scored single goals for the Checkers. Reggie Berg had a hat trick for the Everblades, and Brad Zancanaro had a five-point night with two goals and three assists for Florida (21-10-0 for 42 points).

Both starting goalies weren't around for the finish, as the Checkers Alex Westlund and Florida's David Shantz were each pulled after playing two periods. Chris Holt relieved Westlund at the start of the third period and took the loss with five saves. Craig Kowalski came in for Shantz at the same time and notched the win making 12 saves.

"It's hard to score 15 goals in two games and come out at 1-1," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson, also alluding to the Checkers 8-0 victory on Tuesday night. "I loved our passion to come back tonight and the way we didn't give up when we were down 7-3. However, there were some circumstances that prevented us from having a chance to win the game."

The Checkers gave up four short-handed goals for the second time in the last three games, an area that has Wilkinson concerned. "That's eight short-handed goals we've given up in the last three games and that's unacceptable. Our defense hasn't been inconsistent and we're getting beat to a lot of loose pucks."

The Everblades overwhelmed the Checkers in the first period, but thanks to Westlund Florida only led 2-1 after the period. While outshooting the Checkers 20-7 in the stanza, the Everblades scored the first two goals of the game, both by former Checker Brent Petersen. Rycroft's power-play goal with a minute to go in the frame.

In the second period Florida outscored Charlotte five to three to assume a 7-4 advantage after 40 minutes. That's when the Checkers began to mount their comeback.

Ouellette, Bellefeuille and DeWaele all scored in the first eight minutes of the third period to stun the home crowd and tie the game at 7-7. But Florida's Jonathan Lehun was left alone at the top of the right circle and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 15:09. The Everblades added an insurance goal on a short-handed breakaway by Berg with 2:24 left to ice the 9-7 victory.

"All of us just have to tighten up defensively, get our defense more involved in the offense and play like we can play and we'll be alright," commented Bellefeuille.

The Checkers will resume their three-game road series with the Everblades Saturday night at 7:30 at Germain Arena in Fort Myers. Charlotte's next home game is Thursday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m. when it will host the Columbia Inferno at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The Checkers will also be at home the following night, Friday, January 12 to entertain the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 7:30 p.m.

CHECKERS FRIDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson and Adam Nightingale

FOR BOXSCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1275

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.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 5, 2007


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