ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers dropped by Columbia 8-2

Published on March 17, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Columbia, SC - Tuesday, March 16) The Checkers dropped their fifth game in their last six starts in an 8-2 loss to the Columbia Inferno Tuesday night at the Carolina Coliseum. Jesse Schultz had two goals and three assists and Tim Smith had two goals and two assists to pace the Inferno. Columbia led 2-0 after one period and 5-1 after two. Three third-period goals by Columbia iced the game away in giving Inferno goalie Josh Blackburn his 25th victory of the season. Konrad McKay and Ryan Cuthbert scored the Charlotte goals while Gregg Naumenko took the loss in net for the Checkers. David St. Germain also played 24 minutes of the game in relief of Naumenko.

Despite the loss, the Checkers have eight games left in the regular season and still remain two points behind Greensboro for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Southern Division. However, the Generals now have three games in hand on Charlotte. The Checkers fell four points behind third-place South Carolina as the Stingrays defeated the Alaska Aces 4-1 Tuesday night. Charlotte stayed five points behind second place Florida with one game in hand on the Everblades.

"That was one of the worst defensive performances I've seen this season," lamented Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson. "We'll certainly make some changes where appropriate. There are some guys who are still working hard and paying the price. Late in the game Konrad McKay blocked a shot when we were down 8-2. That 's the kind of effort I want to see from everybody."

Earlier in the day the Checkers traded defenseman Nick Bilotto to the Las Vegas Wranglers for center Kevin O'Flaherty. Charlotte also received left wing / defenseman Steve MacIntyre from the Hartford Wolf Pack while releasing forward A.J. Walker. O'Flaherty is expected to join the Checkers in time for Friday's game at Augusta.

Columbia grabbed a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Mike Roemensky and Schultz. The Checkers had several good chances in the period, especially in the first 90 seconds. Mike Wirll's breakaway and followup by Mike Hartman were stopped by Blackburn as well as an excellent scoring chance by Richard Keyes.

In the second period McKay's goal off a scramble in front of the Columbia goal at 9:10 pulled the Checkers within one goal at 2-1. From that point the Inferno reeled off three unanswered goals by Derek Eastman, Smith and Paul Cabana for a 5-1 lead after two periods.

At the start of the third period St. Germain came in to relieve Naumenko, and the Inferno knocked in three straight goals in a 3:32 span to put the game away. Schultz and Smith each scored their second goal of the game and Brandon Nolan scored his fourth of the season for a commanding 8-1 lead. Cuthbert's goal off a pretty assist from McKay at 10:27 was the final goal of the game for the 8-2 final.

The Checkers record fell to 31-26-7 for 69 points while the Inferno improved their first-place record in the Southern Division to 38-19-7 for 83 points. Charlotte will play next at Augusta on Friday night when they'll take on the Lynx. The Checkers then return home to Cricket Arena Saturday night to take on the Alaska Aces at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game is "Checkers Water Bottle Night," with the first 1,000 fans receiving free Checkers water bottles compliments of Horizon Eye Care.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 17, 2004


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.

OurSports Central