Checkers offense stymied in 3-0 shutout loss to Florida
January 2, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Fort Myers, Florida - Saturday, January 1: The Charlotte Checkers, playing their 11th road game in their last 13 games overall, were shut out for the first time this season in falling 3-0 to the Florida Everblades Saturday night in Fort Myers. Brandon Coalter, Tim O'Connell and Ryan Brindley scored for Florida while Everblades goalie Rob Zepp turned aside all 23 Checkers shots.
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.
"I know we're short-handed and the guys played hard but it's disappointing to not get any points out of these last three games," remarked Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "I'm also a little disappointed that our guys didn't stand up for each other better tonight. We'll re-group and look forward to getting some wins during our upcoming homestand."
After a scoreless first period, the Everblades scored first as Coalter tipped in a centering pass by Kris Vernarsky past 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 when O'Connell and Brindley tallied for the 3-0 final. 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 and saw their record fall to 17-13-2 for 36 points, while Florida won its third straight to raise its record to 18-12-1 for 37 points.
The Checkers next home game will be Friday, January 7 at Cricket Arena when Charlotte will host the Columbia Inferno at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cricket Arena Box office, the Charlotte Coliseum box office, and at all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased on line at _www.ticketmaster.com_ (http://www.ticketmaster.com/) or by phone at (704) 522-6500. Group, season and mini-plan tickets can be purchased through the Charlotte Checkers office by calling (704) 342-4ICE.
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