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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Mount Comeback Over Gladiators, Win 5-3

April 1, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Gwinnett, GA.- Despite being down three goals in the first minutes of play during the initial period, the Checkers scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Gwinnett Gladiators, 5-3.

The scoring started earlier for the Gladiators in the first period when Brad Schell fired a shot between the legs of Checkers netminder Mike Ayers 22 seconds into the contest. Gwinnett would follow up with another goal as Bryson Busniuk stationed himself to the side of the net redirecting a nice pass from Mike Hamilton into a gaping net at 2:21. This put Gwinnett up, 2-0. The Gladiators weren't finished just yet as they tallied another goal less than a minute later when Jeff Campbell capitalized on a turnover inside the Checkers zone and fired a shot over the glove of Ayers at 3:15 extending their lead to 3-0.

The Checkers answered back during the first period as Garrett Peters blasted home his first professional goal at 6:41 beating Craig Kowalski with a slapshot low on the blocker side from the top of the face off circle in Gwinnett territory. Matt Waddell would bring the Checkers within a goal as he fired a shot from just over the red line at center ice that somehow managed to get by Kowalski. The goal scored at 15:32 was unassisted and would carry cut the Gladiators lead to 3-2 after one period.

During the second period, the Checkers were awarded a two-man advantage and they wouldn't miss an opportunity to tie the contest. Chris Capraro placed himself atop the crease where he directed a pass from Bruce Graham behind a sprawling Kowalski at 1:27.

The final period would cap off an excellent comeback from the Checkers as Blake Bellefeuille weaved around the Gwinnett defense on the right wing side and beat Kowalski with a shot on the blocker side at 13:53 giving Charlotte a 4-3 lead. Mark Lee would add an empty net to ice the game at 19:59 as the Checkers skate away with a 5-3 victory.

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