Checkers fall to Columbia, 5-1
Published on December 4, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â Having already met four times this season, the Charlotte Checkers and Columbia Inferno are getting to know each other very well. But don't expect either team to send the other a Christmas card for the holidays. In a game that the Checkers needed to break out of a three-game winless streak, the Inferno relied on the goaltending of Mike Minard to skate to a 5-1 victory.
In tonight's fifth meeting between these teams, the Inferno got on the board first with two quick strikes in the opening period. The first came under the scrutiny of the Charlotte bench and the 5,234 fans that packed Cricket Arena. As the puck got loose behind Checkers goalie Kelly Guard, Checkers defenseman Rory Rawlyk fell into the net, eventually rising up to reveal the puck across the line. With no light and no whistle, Inferno forward Chanse Fitzpatrick found himself with his sixth goal of the season and the early lead.
Juris Stals cut that lead in half 9:07 into the second period when he took a beautiful pass from Ryan Glenn, with a second assist from Mike Wirll, as he cut towards the net. The first shot didn't go, but the rebound did, 2-1 Inferno on Stals' fourth goal of the season.
It would prove to be the Checkers only goal of the game.
Charlotte only fired off 28 shots on the game, 27 of them stopped by Minard, who came into the game fifth in the league with a 1.71 GAA and a save percentage of .944. Still, it wasn't as much Minard's goaltending as it was a stalling Checkers attack that made the difference. The team was obviously missing the point production of injured center Eddie Pershin and Dwight Helminen, who was recalled to Hartford.
"We weren't generating many chances," said Checkers Head Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We turned down some shots we shouldn't have."
"We need to do a better job of that shot-mentality."
The Inferno raised their record to 8-6-3 with production from Fitzpatrick, who bounced his second goal of the night off Checkers defenseman Kenton Smith in the third period for his 16th point of the season, and forward Matt Ulwelling, who also rang the bell twice.
The loss puts the Checkers at 11-5-2 for 24 points. They return to Cricket Arena on Wednesday, December 8th for a tough contest against the Louisiana IceGators, who have won their last four road games.
ECHL Stories from December 4, 2004
- Gladiators Beat Ice Pilots 7-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gators Skin Lynx 4-3 - Louisiana IceGators
- Rivermen Get Early Lead and Hold On to Beat Toledo 4-3 in Regulation on the Road - Peoria Rivermen
- Checkers fall to Columbia, 5-1 - Charlotte Checkers
- Reading Ekes By Trenton 2-1 - Trenton Devils
- 'Blades Run Winning Streak to Four Straight with 5-1 Win - Florida Everblades
- Pride fall to Everblades - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Atlantic City Rolls Over Chiefs - Johnstown Chiefs
- Bullies Pound Johnstown 6-1 - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
- Falcons Sign Falco, Release Rypien - Fresno Falcons
- Another Island Boy Joins the Fold - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Aeros Assign Three to Gators - Louisiana IceGators
- O'Keefe Placed On 7 Day Injured Reserve - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- San Diego Looks To Get Back On Winning Track - San Diego Gulls
- Parillo to Grand Rapids - Toledo Walleye
- Victoria Makes ECHL History Sunday - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces stymied, 4-2 - Alaska Aces
- Checkers gain point in 3-2 shootout loss - Charlotte Checkers
- Ice Pilots Fly By Sea Wolves 4-1 - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Ice Dogs Fall To Condors 3-2 In Shootout - Long Beach Ice Dogs
- Condors Comeback Again, 3-2 in Long Beach - Bakersfield Condors
- Steelheads hand Gulls first home loss, 3-1 - Idaho Steelheads
- Idaho Edges Gulls, 3-1 - San Diego Gulls
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.
