ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers drop second straight in 6-1 loss to Florence

Published on March 7, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Florence, SC - Sunday, March 7) After winning four straight, the Checkers stumbled to their second consecutive defeat in falling to the Florence Pride 6-1 Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Allan Sirois had a pair of goals for the Pride while Mark McRae had a goal and two assists to pace Florence to the big win. Dusty Jamieson averted a shutout for Charlotte by scoring his 20th goal of the season with just 2:55 left in the contest. Despite the loss, the Checkers are still tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Southern division with the Greensboro Generals with 67 points. Charlotte trails third place South Carolina by four points and second place Florida by five points.

"We ran out of gas today." quoted Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson. "This was our third game in three days while Florence had last night off. We had a good burst to start the game and did OK in the first period, but after we gave up those two early goals in the second period the Pride came on and we didn't. Defensively we made a few mistakes that cost us goals and there were a couple guys who didn't show the necessary commitment today. Our effort overall was good and we'll work on some things in practice this week and get ready for Louisiana this Wednesday."

After a scoreless first period, the Pride came out of nowhere to strike for two goals in 34 seconds early in the second period for a 2-0 lead. With the teams starting the period playing with four players and a goaltender, McRae walked around the Checkers defense and blasted one by Charlotte goalie Gregg Naumenko 48 seconds into the second stanza for a 1-0 Florence lead. Thirty four seconds later Josh Piro poked one just over the goal line from close range by Naumenko for a 2-0 Florence advantage. Later in the period at 11:06, Sirois wristed a goal by Naumenko from the top of the right circle for a 3-0 Florence lead. Charlotte had two power play attempts before the second period would come to a close but could not capitalize and the Pride held a 3-0 lead after two periods.

In the third period Florence put the game away with three more goals for a 6-0 lead before Jamieson's goal accounted for the 6-1 final. Naumenko lost his second straight in goal for Charlotte after posting a win in his first game Friday night. Charlotte's record fell to 30-23-7 for 67 points while the Pride improved to 24-29-7 for 55 points.

The Checkers will open up a three-game homestand this week beginning Wednesday when they'll host the Louisiana IceGators at Cricket Arena at 7:00 p.m.

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