ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Stopped By Gladiators, Lose 6-3

February 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Gwinnett, GA. - The Checkers point streak of nine games came to end on the road as they allowed three shorthanded goals to the Gwinnett Gladiators in a 6-3 defeat.

The Checkers used their first power-play of the game to score the first goal of the contest. Checkers defenseman Chris Murray's point shot deflected off a skate in front of Gwinnett goaltender Dan Turple right to an untouched Mike Bayrack. Bayrack made no mistake blasting the puck into a gaping net at 2:56. Charlotte forward P.J. Corsi gave the Checkers a 2-0 lead at 5:49 when his one-time shot on a nice pass from Brian Deeth sailed past the blocker side of Turple. The Gladiators fought back to make it a one-goal contest in the most-unthinkable time when they were killing off a 5-on-3 man advantage. A turnover on the Gwinnett blue-line by Charlotte resulted in a breakaway for Gwinnett forward Dirk Southern. Checkers goalie Maxime Daigneault made the first save but couldn't stop the rebound shot by Southern at 14:05.

In the second period, the Gladiators came out determined to the tie the contest and forward Pat Bateman did just that when his shot found its way past Daigneault at 3:14. Just nine seconds later, Gwinnett defenseman Jean-Claude Sawyer blasted a shot past the Checkers goaltender putting the Gladiators up for the first time in the game by a score of 3-2. Gwinnett extended their lead on another short-handed goal this time scored by Andy Brandt on a two-on-one break when he rifled a one-timer between the legs of Daigneault at 7:57 putting the Gladiators up 4-2. Corsi brought his team back to within one goal when his slap-shot found its way over the glove of Turple at 13:47. After forty minutes, Charlotte was down by a score of 4-3.

Gwinnett wouldn't allow the Checkers to come any closer during the third period and added two special team's goals to ice the contest. Bateman struck for a power-play goal at 4:50 while Brandt tallied his second of the contest while Charlotte had Daigneault out of the net for an extra attacker at 18:44. This lifted Gwinnett to a 6-3 victory.

The Checkers are playing in their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next home game will take place March 1st against the Mississippi at 5:00pm. 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 27, 2009


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