ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers stop their three game losing skid with home victory

February 8, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Checkers were challenged by the coaches to put together a full sixty minute performance after dropping three consecutive games. They got the response they wanted when Charlotte defeated the ECHL's best team, the Florida Everblades by a score of 4-3.

Florida started the scoring in the first period when forward Kevin Baker took a sharp angle shot that squeaked past Checkers netminder Jeff Jakaitis at 1:35. The Checkers answered right back on their first shot of the game. Mike Bayrack was the recipient of a great pass from Michel Leveille and he skated right to the net where he wristed a shot past Florida goalie David Leggio at 4:15 tying the contest at 1-1. Later, Leveille would strike on two-on-one rush when he shot the puck past Leggio on the glove side at 13:04 giving Charlotte a 2-1 advantage. Charlotte registered another goal on a delayed penalty to Florida. David Rutherford drew the call then assisted on a Ryan Murphy one-timer tally at 15:35. As the first period concluded, the Checkers held a 3-1 lead.

The lone goal of the second period was scored by the Checkers Lee Falardeau when his wrist shot fooled Leggio low on the glove side at 6:17. This extended the Charlotte lead to 4-1 after 40 minutes.

The final period became a nail-biter for Checkers fans as the Everblades struck twice to make it a one-goal game. The first Florida goal was registered by Ernie Hartlieb at 6:17 when he snuck the puck past a sprawling Jakaitis who stopped the initial shot by Baker. Florida struck to make it 4-3 when Mathieu Roy blasted another rebound past Jakaitis at 15:53. Despite climbing within reach, the Everblades couldn't fully close the gap and the Checkers skated away with a 4-3 win.

Notes: Jakaitis turned aside 44 of 47 shots while Leggio stopped 25 of 29...The Checkers went scoreless on the power-play on four chances while the Everblades struck once on six tries.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next home game takes place on Feb. 17th against the Florida Everblades at 7 P.M. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $396. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 8, 2009


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