ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers falter at Gwinnett 5-4

Published on February 6, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Duluth, Georgia – Thursday, February 5) The Charlotte Checkers were behind all night and could never quite catch up in falling to the Gwinnett Gladiators 5-4 Thursday in Duluth, Georgia. Kevin Doell and Steve Slonina scored twice for the Gladiators, while Richard Keyes had a goal and an assist for the Checkers. Mike Wirll increased his goal-scoring streak to five games with the Checkers fifth goal, while Nick Bilotto and Rory Rawlyk each chipped in with two assists. Doug Christiansen scored his second goal in as many games for the Checkers while Konrad McKay had the other Charlotte goal. Defensive mistakes early plagued Charlotte in it' quest to sweep the Gladiators in Georgia this season. The Checkers had won the previous two meetings at the Gwinnett Center.

Doell's winning goal for Gwinnett proved to be controversial, as Charlotte goalie David St. Germain was plowed into by the Gladiators Blue Benefield. With the goal knocked off the pins, Doell shot the puck in and referee Jason Rollins let the goal stand.

"It should have been goalie interference or the goal should not have been allowed because the net was off the pins," commented Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson. "We had new players in the lineup tonight and we were out there physically but not mentally, especially early in the game. I was happy with the way the guys fought back all night long and that our power play is really starting to come along. We're definitely headed in the right direction."

A Lucas Lawson miscue gave Gwinnett's Chris Durno a breakaway at 8:17 of the first period. St. Germain stopped Durno twice but Slonina knocked home the third chance for a 1-0 Gwinnett lead. The Gladiators made it 2-0 just 29 seconds later as Anthony Aquino converted a two-on-one. The Checkers sliced the lead to 2-1 at 14:57 on Christiansen's power-play goal and Charlotte trailed by a goal after one period.

Doell's first goal of the game 1:19 into the second period gave the Gladiators their second two-goal lead at 3-1. Once again the Checkers came back as Brandon Cullen's pass out front to McKay was sent home at 2:21 for a 3-2 Gwinnett advantage. Slonina's goal at the 8:00 mark put the Gladiators up 4-2 before Keyes' power-play strike at 15:25 once again made it a one-goal game after two periods.

Doell's controversial goal at 9:52 of the third period allowed Gwinnett to build another two-goal lead at 5-3. But as they had done all night long, Charlotte fought back to get within one goal again, this time on Wirll's tip in with 4:50 left in the game. The Checkers pulled their goalie late but were unable to get the equalizer and Gwinnett hung on for the 5-4 final. The loss was the first in regulation for Wilkinson in five games behind the bench this season, and Charlotte closed out its' season-series with Gwinnett at 3-4-0. Charlotte dropped to 22-19-6 for 50 points while Gwinnett won their second straight and improved to 25-16-4 for 54 points.

The Checkers will get set for two home games this weekend beginning Saturday when they'll host the Roanoke Express at 7:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Charlotte will entertain the Augusta Lynx. The Charlotte Checkers are partnering with "Scouting For Food" in an attempt to help feed the hungry. Checkers fans will be asked to bring canned food to either home game this weekend. All fans who bring a a can of food to either game will receive a free ticket to see the Checkers play the Florida Everblades on Wednesday, March 24 at Cricket Arena. Saturday's game will also feature the appearence of Warner Brothers cartoon characters Yogi Bear and Fred Flintstone, courtesy of Time Warner Cable.

All road games can be heard over the Internet and on the telephone on TEAMLINE. Fans can log onto the Checkers web site at www.gocheckers.com for complete connection instructions.

CHECKERS TICKETS: All regular season individual game tickets are on sale, and may be purchased at the Cricket Arena Box Office, the Charlotte Coliseum Box Office, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by using a credit card and calling Ticketmaster at (704) 522-6500, and through the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.

Individual game tickets for the 2003-04 season are priced at $7.00 for balcony seats, $10.00 for end mezzanine seats, $12.00 for side mezzanine seats, $15.00 for circle seats, and $20.00 for box seats.

Season Tickets, mini plans and group tickets remain on sale through the Checkers office. Further information can be obtained by calling the Checkers office at (704) 342-4423.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 6, 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.

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