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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers hold on to the East

January 3, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers (17-13-2; 36 PTS; T-1st East Div) started the week off with a bang. The Checkers tied up the game 2-2 against the South Carolina Stingrays with 9.4 seconds left in the third period. After a scoreless overtime, the Checkers won after an eight-man shoot-out. That was the best it got for the battered Checkers who took the show to Florida for New Years. It was three and out as the Checkers lost to Pensacola, and twice to the Florida Everblades. It's payback time this weekend as the Checkers take the home advantage against two teams who have each beaten Charlotte in their last meeting. First up is the Columbia Inferno on Friday night at Cricket, who defeated the Checkers 1-5 on December 4th. On Saturday at Cricket arena, the Checkers face off against the nefarious Florida Everblades who gave Charlotte two in the kisser over New Years Weekend.

LAST WEEK

Tuesday, December 28 vs. South Carolina, W 3-2 OT

South Carolina showed why they lead the league in penalty kills, withstanding an early two-man Checker advantage in the first period, but fell victim to some swift puck movement by Kenton Smith and Lee Falardeau to set up Ryan Cuthbert's power play goal (5) at the 6:28 mark in the 1st period. The Stingrays entered the second period more focused, outshooting the Checkers 15 to 4. South Carolina answered with heavy pressure on Charlotte goaltender, Alex Westlund, tying the game 1-1 at the 4:50 mark in the second period. South Carolina controlled the puck for almost the entire first half of the third period and notched a second goal at the 14:51 mark to take the lead 2-1. A late icing penalty on South Carolina with :58 left in the game allowed the Checkers to pull Westlund, and with 9.4 ticks left on the clock, Dusty Jamieson wristed the game-tying goal past the Stingray's Kirk Daubenspeck to send the game into overtime. The Checkers showed their mental toughness in a grueling goalie duel between Westlund and Daubenspeck, drawing 8 different shooters to decide the game. In the end, Westlund proved victorious stopping 7 of 8 over Daubenspeck who gave up the game winner to Matt Chandler.

Thursday, December 30 @ Pensacola, L 2-1

The Charlotte Checkers came into Thursday's game against Pensacola wanting to show that they could compete with the same team that beat them 8-4 in their last meeting on December 18 in Florida. While the Checkers played much better this time around, the Ice Pilots still prevailed. Pensacola jumped out to a 2-0, first-period lead in the first 11 minutes of the hockey game. The Checkers settled down and responded as Matt Chandler followed up Paul Lynch's blocked shot and rifled a shot at 15:12 to slice the Ice Pilots lead to 2-1 after the first period. The Checkers came out strong in the second, outshooting Pensacola 15-7 in the period. With Charlotte trailing 2-1 late in the third period, the Checkers Kenton Smith was called for holding with just 1:45 left in regulation. The questionable call denied Charlotte any chance to pull its goalie for an extra attacker late in the game. In their last meeting with Pensacola, the Ice Pilots were awarded nine power-play attempts with the Checkers getting only one. In Thursday night's game Pensacola got two power-play opportunities and Charlotte got zero. In two games with the Ice Pilots in Pensacola, the home team received 11 power play chances with Charlotte getting only one.

Friday, December 31 @ Florida, L 4-3

The undermanned Charlotte Checkers fought another hard fight Friday night. A first period goal by Florida's Church at 8:45 gave the Everblades a 1-0 lead. At 4:06 of the second period Florida increased its lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal. Charlotte finally got on the board with 4:51 left in the second period as Juris Stals chipped in the puck on a breakaway to slice the Everblades lead to 2-1. Just 33 seconds into the third period the Checkers tied the game at 2-2, as Eddie Pershin one-timed Dusty Jamieson's pass 20 feet out in the slot just inside the right post. Mike Wirll gave Charlotte its first lead at 5:45 as he banked a shot off the back of Kowalski's pads and into the net for a 3-2 Charlotte advantage. The Everblades came roaring back and tied the game from in close at 9:57. The Everblades notched the game-winning goal at 11:23 as his wrist shot from the top of the right circle found its way in the back of the net. Charlotte had one final chance as Florida's Brandon Coalter was given a four-minute high-sticking penalty with just over four minutes left in the final period. Despite some close calls in the final minutes, the Blades held on for the 4-3 victory.

Saturday, January 1 @ Florida, L 3-0

The Charlotte Checkers, playing their 11th road game in their last 13 games overall, were shut out for the first time this season. Charlotte played the game with only 15 players, including two goalies, eight forwards and five defensemen. Friday night the Checkers had only 16 healthy skaters, and that number dropped by one Saturday when Dusty Jamieson was scratched just prior to the game with a minor injury. After a scoreless first period, the Everblades struck first against Charlotte goalie Alex Westlund at 4:54 of the second period for a 1-0 Florida advantage. Florida scored two goals in the final period to put the game away. Late in period Charlotte's Eddie Pershin and Florida's Shane Hnidy fought, with both getting a five-minute major for slashing, a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct. The Checkers suffered their first three-game losing streak of the season.

THIS WEEK

Friday, January 7 vs. Columbia, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 8 vs. Florida, 7:00 p.m.

CHECKERS NEWS

· The Checkers are currently tied with the Pee Dee Pride for first in the East Division with 36 points. They are tied with two other teams for second in the American Conference, and tied for fifth in the ECHL overall. The Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies continue to hold the league lead with 42 points.

· Charlotte is currently tied with the Pee Dee Pride for the lead in the East Division, and they are tied for second in the American Conference.

· Charlotte has the fifth highest average attendance in the league.

· Center Mike Harder is currently tied for fifth in the league for total points despite spending the last three games on 7-day IR.

· Goalie Alex Westlund has played the fourth highest number of minutes (1288).

· At home, Charlotte is last in the league with the power play advantage, and next to last at home defending against the power play.

· This weekend, Charlotte takes on division rivals, the Columbia Inferno, and conference rivals, the Florida Everblades.

CHECKERS LEADERS

Goals: Eddie Pershin (11)

Assists: Mike Harder (20)

Points: Mike Harder (30)

Plus/Minus: Rory Rawlyk (+4)

PIM: Steve MacIntyre (93)

Wins: Alex Westlund (9)

GAA: Alex Westlund (2.98)

Save Pct.: Alex Westlund (.904)

CHECKERS BROADCAST INFO

Tune into all Charlotte Checkers away games as they broadcast on TEAMLINE. Fans can click the TEAMLINE logo on the Checkers website, www.gocheckers.com, or listen on the phone at 800-846-4700, code 2820. On the web or on the phone, listen as the voice of the Checkers, Tim Donelli, brings you all of the away Checkers action.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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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.

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