Checkers Romp Over Richmond 5-2
March 15, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, NCâ March 14, 2003: The Checkers kept the pressure on several other contending playoff teams in the Northeast Division by winning their eighth game in their last 10 starts with a 5-2 triumph over the Richmond Renegades Friday night at Cricket Arena. Dave Inman had a goal and two assists while Takahito Suzuki and Allan Egeland each had a goal and an assist in the victory. Goalie Colin Zulianello earned his first victory as a Charlotte Checker, making 35 saves and holding the Renegades to two goals.
The win enabled the Checkers (73 points) to pull within four points of the fourth place Trenton Titans (77 points) in the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Northeast Division. Charlotte remains only five points behind Greensboro and Roanoke, who are tied for second place with 78 points.
"We had really solid second and third periods tonight," remarked Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "We had a pretty short bench without Nick Bilotto (on loan to Rochester / AHL) and Jeff State (minor injury) but the guys battled all night. They know what it takes to win a game and they're doing what it takes."
Zulianello, making his second start in a Checkers uniform, commented on the victory. "The guys played real well in front of me tonight and it felt great to get the win. We have a real opportunity right now and we want to make the most of it."
Richmond took a 1-0 lead at 14:08 of the first period as Jonathan Zion's shot from the point eluded Zulianello. The Renegades yielded 15 shots to the Checkers but maintained their 1-0 lead to the end of the period.
The Checkers came roaring back with three unanswered goals in the second period. At 11:14 Charlotte tied the game at 1-1 as Suzuki's slapshot on a power play got by Richmond goalie Dan Lombard. Inman connected next on a long slapshot that found the back of the net at 9:19 to give the Checkers their first lead of the night at 2-1. At 14:13 of the period Dusty Jamieson took a pass from Eddie Pershin, charged the net, and somehow the puck ended up in the back of the Renegades goal. The Checkers finished a dominant second period on top 3-1.
The Renegades, on the verge of elimination for a playoff spot, kept fighting and pulled to within one goal as Lars Petersen beat Zulianello from the side of the Charlotte cage to bring Richmond to within one at 3-2. Charlotte got a big goal late as Egeland took a pass from Inman and scooted in all alone on Lombard and finished the opportunity at 16:48 for a 4-2 Checkers advantage. Pershin's empty net goal at 19:40 sealed the 5-2 win.
The Checkers improved their record to 35-25-3 for 73 points. Richmond fell to 30-30-5 for 65 points. Charlotte will continue its busy five-game week Saturday night at South Carolina when they'll close out their season-series with the Stingrays at 7:30 p.m.
American Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2003
- Ducks' Martensson beats Grizzlies in OT - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Monarchs Outdistance Norfolk, 4-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms Lose 3-2 in Chicago - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bulldogs Doubled up by Saint John - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Lamothe, Griffins Shutout Rampage, 2-0 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Papineau's Historic Debut Leads To Sound Tigers' 7th Win Over Springfield - Bridgeport Islanders
- Kings Recall Holland - Manchester Monarchs
- Checkers Romp Over Richmond 5-2 - Charlotte Checkers
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