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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers go seven for eight

January 24, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers (24-14-2; 50 PTS; 1ST East Div) traveled this weekend, after winning 2-1 in overtime against the Johnstown Chiefs Thursday night. They finished their six-game homestand with a perfect record, making them undefeated at home in 2005. Friday night, the Checkers stretched their winning streak to seven in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Greenville Grrrowl. On Saturday, the Checkers faced the Columbia Inferno, where hopes of an eighth straight win were doused by a blistering Inferno offense. The Checkers return home this Friday when they face a volatile South Carolina team that has won nine straight games. Payback time begins Saturday night when the Checkers attempt to char the Inferno at Cricket Arena.

LAST WEEK

Thursday, January 20 vs. Johnstown, W 2-1

The Charlotte Checkers won their sixth consecutive game with an overtime win over the Johnstown Chiefs. The Checkers came out strong during the first period against the Chiefs, who have lost their last four games. After killing a penalty, the Checkers took the lead at the 8:31 mark of the period when Mike Wirll tapped in a loose puck after a Dusty Jamieson point-blank shot. A different Johnstown team appeared in the second and third period, dominating the Checkers defense and tying the game up at 1 all at the 8:19 mark of the second period. Alex Westlund, was solid again in net recording his 12th win of the year, stopping 24 out of the 25 shots he faced from Johnstown, including two shots in overtime. Wirll's second goal of the game came a minute and 55 seconds into overtime. Wirll took a pass from Eddie Pershin and fired the puck over the shoulder of the Chief's goalie to secure the victory for the Checkers.

Friday, January 21 at Greenville, W 4-2

The Charlotte Checkers recovered from a slow start and stretched their winning streak to seven games with a come-from-behind win over the Greenville Grrrowl. The Checkers trailed 2-1 after two periods before exploding for three goals in the final period. Checkers goalie Alex Westlund was spectacular in goal, especially in the first two periods when Greenville outshot the Checkers 26-15. In the second period Charlotte tied the game at 1-1 at 7:01 as Lee Falardeau put home a rebound off a Brian Escobedo shot. Greenville regained the lead at 13:38 of the second. In the third period Charlotte tied the game for the second time with a Mike Wirll surprise shot from the left wing boards. Just after a two-man advantage expired, Charlotte scored the game-winning goal on an Eddie Pershin rebound. Greenville pulled its goalie in the final minute for an extra attacker, but Pershin's empty-net goal with 22 seconds left iced the game for the Checkers.

Saturday, January 22 at Columbia, L 6-3

The Checkers seven-game winning streak came to a screeching halt as the Columbia Inferno scorched Charlotte. The Inferno made it 2-0 before the first period would come to a close. Charlotte got its first goal of the game just 1:40 into the second period as Brian Escobedo shot from the point on a power play. The Inferno would come back with a power play goal and an even strength goal in the period as they skated to the locker room with a 4-1 advantage after 40 minutes. In the third period the Checkers kept scraping back, cutting the Inferno lead to 4-2 on a Dusty Jamieson rebound goal off a Thomas Pock shot at 6:53. Columbia temporarily halted Charlotte's momentum at 11:27 with a power-play goal to resume its three-goal lead. Charlotte bounced back again to cut the lead to two goals at 5-3 as Eddie Pershin scored on a power play with 6:02 left. The Checkers could get no closer and the Inferno added an empty-net goal with four seconds remaining for the 6-3 final.

THIS WEEK

Friday, January 28 vs. South Carolina, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 29 vs. Columbia, 7:00 p.m.

CHECKERS NEWS

· The Checkers are currently first in the East Division with 50 points. They are second in the American conference, and fourth in the league overall.

· Eddie Pershin has a six-game point streak with a total of 11 points (5g-6a). He hit the game winner against Greenville on 1/21/05. Pershin is the team points leader on the season with 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points. His +/- rating is +8.

· Over the last ten games, Mike Wirll leads the Checkers in scoring with 8 goals and 6 assists (14 points total).

· In his last five games, Dusty Jamieson has a total of 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points. He and Ryan Cuthbert have the highest +/- rating over ten games at +6.

· Ryan Cuthbert has the highest number of assists in the past ten Checkers outings (10a).

· Rory Rawlyk leads the team with a +/- rating of +10.

· Alex Westlund is tied with the most overtime wins in the league (3).

CHECKERS LEADERS

Goals: Eddie Pershin (16)

Assists: Mike Harder (24)

Points: Eddie Pershin (37)

Plus/Minus: Rory Rawlyk (+10)

PIM: Steve MacIntyre (93)

Wins: Alex Westland (13)

GAA: Alex Westland (2.85)

Save Pct.: Kelly Guard (.894)

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