ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers have the power

January 12, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers, playing their third game of a six-game home stand, were looking to remain undefeated at home in 2005. Standing in their way was American Conference East Division rival the Augusta Lynx. These teams have met four times already this season, and the Checkers needed a spark from their power play, which had been ranked 19th in the league coming into the game, to take out the Lynx. After a hard fought battle, the Checkers came away with three power play goals to nab the victory, 4-3, maintaining their place atop the East Division.

Checkers forward Brian Escobedo, in his fifth game in a Checkers uniform, did his best to keep the win streak alive in the first period, sending a one-timer from center Ryan Cuthbert into the back of the Augusta Lynx net. His power play goal was his first on the year, and a portent of things to come.

"We thought that if we could win the special teams battle, not in percentage, but in goals, we could win the game," Checkers Head Coach Derek Wilkinson said following the game.

How right he was.

A noticeably tense second period seemed to go as well for the Checkers as the first. Cuthbert showed some nifty moves around the net as he took a breakaway feed from Eddie Pershin, faked once to his left, and slipped the puck past the outstretched leg of Lynx goaltender Jason Saal. Pershing had been sorely missed in the Checkers lineup after serving a suspension, but came out firing, finishing the game with two assists, upping his total to 17 on the year.

Augusta tried their best to get back into the game, tying it 2-2 when Lynx center Eric Johansson found himself with the puck right in front of Checkers goalie Kelly Guard and beat him glove-side. That was when the Checkers power play roared. Rory Rawlyk gave the Checkers the lead when he fired a slap shot home from the blue line, then Lee Falardeau put it away, ringing the bell off the Mike Harder and Pershin assists. Falardeau's goal gives him 12 on the season, topping Pershin for team-high.

The win puts the Checkers at 20-13-2 for 42 points. They continue their series at Cricket Arena on Friday, January 14th against the Greenville Grrrowl, then on Saturday, January 15th against the Texas Wildcatters. Call the Checkers at (704) 342-4423 for tickets or more information.

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ECHL Stories from January 12, 2005


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