ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers get fired up

April 16, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers stay alive in their best-of-five American Conference quarterfinal playoff series by defeating the Columbia Inferno 3-1 in front of 2,810 fans. The two teams meet again tomorrow at 5 PM in what could potentially be the Checkers final hockey game at Cricket Arena. The Inferno currently lead the series 2-1.

The Checkers said after last night's loss that they couldn't take any periods off. That mindset was evident in the first period which the Checkers claimed as their own. At 13:07 of the first, Inferno goalie Mike Minard found his net cluttered with Checkers jerseys. Checkers forward Lee Falardeau broke free and lit the lamp, giving Charlotte the 1-0 lead which they took into the locker room.

The Inferno is dangerous in the second period, having scored four of its six goals in the playoffs in the middle frame. Tonight was no exception. With just 1:10 left to play in the period, Columbia's Ryan Campbell fired a shot that bounced up and over Checkers goalie Alex Westlund's glove and into the goal. The second period ended 1-1.

The third period opened with everything on the line. For the Checkers, it was a chance to fight another day. For the Inferno, it was a chance sweep into the next round of the ECHL playoffs. After battling for almost eighteen minutes, the Checkers Kenton Smith fired a bullet into the top right corner of the Inferno net to give Charlotte the lead with 2:17 left to play. The Inferno pulled their goalie for the extra man but it was not to be. In the final seconds, the Checkers Dwight Helminen intercepted a pass and scored an empty net goal to give the Checkers their first playoff win in three seasons. Alex Westlund was masterful in the net for the Checkers with 29 saves.

The Checkers face off against the Columbia Inferno at 5 PM on Sunday, April 17 at Cricket Arena. Crucial Game Four tickets may be purchased by calling 704-342-4ICE. Tickets can also be purchased at the Cricket Arena box office, the Coliseum box office or by calling Ticketmaster at 704-522-6500.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 16, 2005


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.

OurSports Central