ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers falter in third, caught by Augusta in 5-4 defeat

Published on February 18, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Augusta, Georgia - Saturday, February 17) For the second night in a row, the Charlotte Checkers were unable to hold a two-goal lead past the midway point of a game. The Augusta Lynx scored three, unanswered goals including two in the third period to complete a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Checkers Saturday night at James Brown Arena in Augusta. The loss ruined a two-goal performance by Charlotte's Daymen Rycroft, and dropped the Checkers (26-19-1-2 for 55 points) two points behind fifth place South Carolina for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division of the ECHL's American Conference. The Lynx (29-21-1-1 for 60 points) kept their hold on fourth place in the division with the win, and moved five points ahead of Charlotte. But, the Checkers still hold four games in hand on Augusta.

Kenton Smith and Nathan Gillies scored single goals for Charlotte, and goalie Chris Holt took the loss making 32 saves. Brian Passmore tallied twice for Augusta, with Lynx goalie David McKee garnering the win with 33 saves. The Checkers fell to 3-3 in the ten-game season series against the Lynx.

"We put everything we had out on the ice tonight, and it's very disappointing not to get at least a point from this game," commented Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We had a few players who weren't on the same page tonight, and when we're as short and as banged up as we are right now we need everyone going in the same direction. We gave up too many odd-man rushes and breakaways, and against a team that's as fast and skilled as Augusta you can't do that and be successful. I hope a game like this doesn't come back to haunt us later on."

The Lynx scored in the first minute of the game as Aaron Slattengren completed an Augusta two-on-one break for a 1-0 lead. The Lynx lead didn't last long, as two minutes later Kenton Smith blasted a shot from just inside the blue line past McKee to knot the game at 1-1.

The Checkers would take their first lead of the game at 7 minutes, 4 seconds, of the first, as Rycroft scored short-handed by blasting a Gillies rebound home for a 2-1 Charlotte advantage.

Following Passmore's first goal of the game that tied the match at 2-2, Gillies' tally with thirty seconds remaining in the period gave the Checkers a 3-2 lead at the first break.

Charlotte increased its lead to 4-2 early in the second period on Rycroft's second goal of the game at 2:38. The Checkers held their two-goal lead until late in the second period when things began to unravel. Sean Blanchard brought the Lynx to within one goal at 4-3, when his shot from the left circle nailed the upper right hand corner of the Charlotte goal.

Augusta finally tied the game at 5:09 of the third period on Passmore's second of the night. Former Checkers forward Ryan Lang set up the Lynx' winning goal, by threading a perfect breakaway pass to Garrett Bembridge who scored at 11:31. The 5-4 Augusta advantage was its first lead since early in the first period.

Charlotte attempted to tie the game with 12 third-period shots, but couldn't net the tying goal. Holt was pulled with a minute to go in the game for a sixth attacker. Ryan Constant had the best opportunity to tie the game in the final minute, but his shot from the point hit the goalpost. The Lynx killed off the final seconds of the period, and held on for the 5-4 victory.

The Checkers conclude their three-games in three-day road trip Sunday at 4:00 p.m. when Charlotte will meet the Gwinnett Gladiators in Duluth, Georgia. The Checkers next home game is Thursday night when they'll entertain the Toledo Storm at 7:00 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Thursday's home game will help raise funds for the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte. . CHECKERS SATURDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Rick Kozak, Blake Bellefeuille, and Bryan Rodney.

ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Alex Westlund, Zdenek Bahensky and Corey Potter. FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1504

Tickets for all Checkers home games can be purchased on the official team web site at www.gocheckers.com, on the telephone by using a credit card and calling 1-800-495-2295, or by visiting the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office.

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ECHL Stories from February 18, 2007


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