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December 6, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers (11-5-2; 24 PTS; 3rd American Conference) went into the weekend carrying a two-game losing streak after dropping games to the Columbia Inferno and the Pee Dee Pride. They got the chance for revenge when the Checkers traveled to Florence, SC, to face the Pride on Friday, then back home to take on the Inferno at Cricket Arena on Saturday. The Checkers gained a point when they fell in a shootout with the Pride, but unfortunately they got tripped up by the Inferno, placing them two points behind the Pride in the East Division. This week the Checkers look to get back in the win-column when they face the Louisiana IceGators on Wednesday at Cricket Arena, then storm into Georgia to play the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday and the Augusta Lynx on Saturday.

LAST WEEK

Friday, December 3 @ Pee Dee, T 3-2 (SO)

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. Harder's equalizer was clutch, as he slipped a backhander past Pride goalie Nick Boucher and sent the game into a shootout. It was his eighth goal of the season.

Saturday, December 4 vs. Columbia, L 5-1

The Checkers came out looking for revenge against Columbia, who triumphed in the teams' last meeting, but fell short in a physical game. Juris Stals notched the only goal of the game for the Checkers, his fourth goal of the season. Ryan Glenn and Mike Wirll got credit for the assists. The first goal of the game, scored by Inferno forward Chanse Fitzpatrick, came amid controversy. No light went off and no whistle blew, but the referee signaled a goal when he saw the puck laying underneath Checkers defenseman Rory Rawlyk, who had fallen behind goalie Kelly Guard.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, December 8 vs. Louisiana IceGators, 7:00 p.m. at Cricket Arena

Friday, December 10 @ Gwinnett Gladiators, 7:35 p.m.

Saturday, December 11 @ Augusta Lynx, 7:00 p.m.

CHECKERS NEWS

· The Checkers are in a three-way tie for second place in the American Conference with a .667 win percentage. They are currently third in the American Conference and fifth in the ECHL overall with 24 points. After 18 games, the Checkers were 6-9-3 last year. This year, they are 11-5-2.

· Center Mike Harder is currently third in the league for points (23) and assists (15). Winger Eddie Pershin remains in the top ten with 18 points.

· Winger Dusty Jamieson is tied with one other player with the second best shooting percentage (0.294).

· Rookie Goalie Kelly Guard is tied for first in the league with a 1.000 shootout percentage. He is also tied for first with 2 overtime wins.

· Kenton Smith is tied for first in the league for goals scored by a defenseman (5), and he has the fourth highest shot percentage in the league for his position. Dan Preston is second in the league among defensemen with 11 assists, and Preston is tied for fourth in total points by a defenseman (12).

· Charlotte is currently fourth in the league with a road power play percentage of 22.6.

CHECKERS LEADERS

Goals: Eddie Pershin / Mike Harder (8)

Assists: Mike Harder (15)

Points: Mike Harder (23)

Plus/Minus: Rory Rawlyk (+8)

PIM: Rory Rawlyk (37)

Wins: Kelly Guard (7)

GAA: Kelly Guard (2.66)

Save Pct.: Kelly Guard (0.908)

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