AHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Romp Over Richmond 8-0

Published on February 14, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, NC- February 14, 2003: The Checkers played perhaps their best all-round game of the season Friday night at Cricket Arena with an 8-0 shutout win over the Richmond Renegades. Konrad McKay had two goals, two assists and a fight, (The Geordie Howe Hat Trick) and goalie Scott Meyer turned aside 24 shots to record his first shutout of the season. The win was the Checkers third straight and eighth in their last nine games at home.

"We really worked hard for 60 minutes tonight," beamed Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "Scott Meyer was great, especially in the third period, and Konrad McKay is one brave guy for all that he did tonight. We can't control what's going on with the other scores around the league, we just have to keep winning and hope things work out."

During the Checkers recent surge at home they have consistently jumped off to multiple goal leads and the same was the case Friday night. Charlotte got on the scoreboard first, even strength, as newcomer Andrew McPherson notched his first goal of the season and as a Checker, by forehanding one by Renegades starting goalie Mark Magliarditti for a 1-0 Checkers lead. Charlotte scored again at 12:13 as Chad Wilchynski notched his fourth goal of the campaign from David Evans and Dan Preston for a 2-0 Checkers advantage. The Checkers led 2-0 at the end of the first period of play while outshooting Richmond 14-4.

A big four-goal second period put the game away for Charlotte. The Checkers made it 3-0 at 5:10 on a power play as Dusty Jamieson tapped in a rebound of an Kevin Caulfield shot that Magliarditti got a piece of but couldn't totally control. Takahito Suzuki made it 4-0 at 8:22 when he knocked his own rebound by Magliarditti. Richmond Head Coach Gord Dineen then pulled Magliarditti in favor of Dan Lombard. Charlotte scored two more goals before the period would come to a close, both by McKay. His first goal was a tip in of a Preston shot that gave the Checkers a 5-0 lead at 11:21. His second goal of the night just 45 seconds later was a backhand over the shoulder of Lombard for a 6-0 Charlotte lead they took to the locker room at the end of the second period.

The Checkers added two more early in the third period as Brandon Cullen was credited with his ninth goal of the season at 1:48. Caulfield finished up the scoring a shorthanded goal at 7:50 for his team-leading 19th goal of the season.

Despite the win, the Checkers couldn't gain any ground on the fourth place Trenton Titans, who blanked the Greensboro Generals 4-0 and remained five points ahead of Charlotte. The Checkers record improved to 27-21-2 for 56 points while the Renegades fell to 25-26-3 for 53 points. The Checkers will continue their seven-game homestand Saturday night at Cricket Arena when they'll host the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:35 p.m.

NOTES: Checkers defenseman Craig Weller was recalled by the Hartford Wolf Pack following the game, but is expected to be back on Sunday.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2003


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