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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers drop first of season in regulation 3-2 at Pensacola

November 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Pensacola, Florida - Friday, November 11, 2005) The Charlotte Checkers spotted the Pensacola Ice Pilots a 2-0 lead and lost for the first time in regulation this season 3-2 in Florida Friday night. Nick Lindberg's goal midway through the third period proved to be the game-winner for Pensacola, shortly after the Checkers had tied the game early in the final period on a short-handed goal by Ryan Cuthbert.

Dominic Noel and Brian Collins scored first-period goals for Pensacola, with Hugh Jessiman connecting for Charlotte on a power play in the first stanza.

The Checker pummeled Ice Pilots' goalie Frederick Cloutier with 48 shots, but could only muster two goals by the veteran goaltender. Charlotte goalie Jeff Glass also played well yielding only three goals while facing 44 shots.

"We had a few guys that didn't show up for us tonight," remarked Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "Our defenseman made a few mistakes that directly led to goals. You have to give Pensacola credit. They were very opportunistic and their goalie played well. I thought Jeff Glass played well for us too."

The Ice Pilots scored in the first minute of the first period as Noel's shot which appeared harmless, deflected off a stick and somehow got over Glass' shoulder just 20 seconds in and Pensacola led 1-0. The Ice Pilots scored again at 4:37 as Brian Collins got the puck deep in front of Glass and flipped in a backhander for a 2-0 advantage.

Late in the first period, the Checkers cut the Pensacola lead to 2-1 on a power play, as Jessiman tipped in Kenton Smith's shot from the center point by Cloutier at 16:39.

In the second period both goalies took over, snuffing out some quality chances by both teams and keeping the stanza scoreless. Pensacola had a two-man advantage for about a minute late in the period but Glass and the Checkers held their ground. In the final minute Charlotte had two great short-handed chances, including a breakaway by Blake Bellefeuille, but Cloutier foiled both attempts. The Ice Pilots had four power-play attempts in the second period while the Checkers had a pair.

In the third period at 3:26 and the Checkers killing a penalty, Cuthbert took a pass from Dusty Jamieson and beat Cloutier from the right-wing circle with a short-handed goal to tie the game at 2-2. Later in the period the Checkers failed to clear the puck out of their zone, and Chris St. Jacques fed the puck to Lindberg in the slot who ripped a shot by Glass for a 3-2 Ice Pilots' advantage.

In the final eight minutes the Checkers kept the pressure on Pensacola in their attempt to notch the tying goal. In the final minute Wilkinson pulled Glass for an extra attacker, but the Ice Pilots were able to hang on for the 3-2 final.

The loss dropped the Checkers to 5-1-1 for 11 points, while Pensacola improved to 2-4-1 for five points. Charlotte will continue its' three-game road trip next weekend when they'll play a weekend series in Fort Myers, Florida against the Florida Everblades beginning Friday night.

The Checkers next home game at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena is Tuesday, November 22 when they'll meet the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:00 PM.

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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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