Checkers gain point in 3-2 shootout loss
Published on December 4, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Florence, South Carolina - Friday, December 3: The Charlotte Checkers, playing for the second straight game with only 16 skaters and against one of the hottest teams in the ECHL, squeaked out a point in losing to the Pee Dee Pride 3-2 in a shootout Friday night in Florence. The Checkers got goals from Ryan Cuthbert and Mike Harder while Brian Collins and Gregg Johnson tallied in regulation for the Pride. Each team had a one-goal lead but neither could hold it.
Pee Dee dominated the shootout as Checkers Jason Dawe, Juris Stals and Mike Harder were all denied by Pride goalie Nick Boucher. Pee Dee's Chad Spurr, Gregg Johnson and Brian Collins all scored against Charlotte goalie Alex Westlund to notch the shootout win.
"It was a good job by the guys tonight considering we were short-handed," commented Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "It was a big goal by Mike Harder to tie up the game after we gave up the lead. But that's what a captain is supposed to do and Mike did it well. Alex (Westlund) was great in goal and is right where we want him to be."
The Checkers battled the Pride to a 0-0 first period deadlock. Charlotte had two quality scoring chances in eight first-period shots, but it was Westlund who sparkled in goal for the Checkers stopping all 13 Pee Dee shots.
Charlotte finally broke the ice with three minutes, forty seven seconds left in the second period. With the Checkers on their third power-play opportunity, Cuthbert's wrist shot eluded Boucher for a 1-0 Checkers lead. Brandon Cullen, playing his first game back after a three week absence, was helpful in screening the Pride goalie on Cuthbert's goal. Dawe drew the lone assist.
Another highlight of the second period saw back-to-back breakaways, one by each team. The Checkers' Matt Chandler saw his chance hit the post while Pee Dee's Brian Collins was robbed by Westlund.
In the third period Pee Dee finally broke through to tie the game at 1-1 on a goal by Brian Collins at 7:52 of the final period. The Pride grabbed its first lead at 13:09 as Johnson's goal-mouth scramble tally made it a 2-1 Pee Dee advantage. Forty three seconds later however the Checkers would equalize at 2-2 as Harder had Boucher alone just outside the crease and backhanded in his eighth goal of the season. Neither team could score the rest of regulation or in the five-minute, sudden-death overtime period, sending the game to the shootout.
The Checkers record now stands at 11-4-2 for 24 points while the Pride won its fifth straight and improved to 12-4-2 for 26 points. Saturday night the Checkers return home to Cricket Arena to host the Columbia Inferno at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available now through the Charlotte Checkers office by calling (704) 342-4ICE, through all TicketMaster locations, or on line through _www.TicketMaster.com_ (http://www.ticketmaster.com/) .
ECHL Stories from December 4, 2004
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- 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
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