ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Strike Down Ice Pilots, 6-4

March 16, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Pensacola, F.L. - The Charlotte Checkers beat the Pensacola for the second time in as many nights by a score of 6-4.

Tom Pyatt led the Charge for the Checkers in the first period scoring two goals. The first came early as he wristed a shot from the Ice Pilots blue-line that goaltender, Cam Elsworth bobbled. Pyatt skated in quickly, gathered his rebound and beat the netminder giving the Checkers a 1-0 lead at 1:17. Pyatt would get his second goal shorthanded as he deflected a pass from Lee Falardeau behind Elsworth at 9:58.

Charlotte continued its dominance at the start of the middle stanza. Chris Capraro scored an unassisted goal at 2:39 after the puck bounced strangely in the Pensacola zone. Capraro had time to chip it into a gaping net as Elsworth was out of position. The Ice Pilots finally showed signs of life. During a power-play, forward Adam Hobson fired a one-timer that squeezed between the pads of Checkers goalie, Chris Holt at 14:36 cutting the Checkers lead to 3-1. Pensacola would slash the lead again as Bryan Esner lead the charge on a two-on-one break. Holt stopped the initial shot by Esner but couldn't save the rebound that was scored by Luke Erickson at 16:11. After forty minutes, the Checkers had a 3-2 advantage.

Lee Falardeau scored a goal to start the final period the game as he roofed a shot over the blocker of Elsworth at 1:10 putting Charlotte up 4-2. Bruce Graham scored a Checkers power-play goal on a one-timer that found its way between the legs of Elsworth at 5:33. This gave the Checkers a 5-2 lead. Pensacola would answer with two more goals, one from Erickson at 12:07 and another from Jean-Claude Sawyer at 17:19. This cut the lead to 5-4 for Charlotte, but Justin Maiser would add an empty netter to ensure a victory by a score of 6-4.

The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on March 20 against the Augusta Lynx. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $175. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from March 16, 2008


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