Checkers Strike Down Ice Pilots
December 18, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers battled the Pensacola Ice Pilots for the first time this season and despite a late surge by Pensacola, the Checkers skated away with a 5-3 victory.
In the first stanza, the Checkers Mike Bayrack got his team on the board when he skated around the Pensacola defense and slammed the puck home past Ice Pilots goaltender John Daigneau at 11:04. Charlotte would extend their lead when Dusty Jamieson was camped out near the Pensacola crease on the power play. After receieving a nice feed from Jordan Owens, Jamieson made no mistake and brought the game to 2-0 at 14:59.
There was no scoring in the middle frame, but an offensive outburst from both teams erupted in the last period. The Checkers would pull ahead by 3-0 after defenseman Ryan Constant skated around the defense and slipped the puck behind Daigneau at 1:11. It wouldn't take long for the Ice Pilots to respond and it was Bryan McGregor rifling a one timer over the catching glove of Checkers netminder, Curtis Darling at 1:46. Charlotte would pull away by three goals again after defenseman Kenton Smith sent blistering shot over the blocker of Daigneau at 7:29. Suddenly, Pensacola would make it a one goal game after they score two goals, five seconds apart. First it was Bryan Esner dancing around the defense of Michael Busto and putting a shot through the legs of Darling at 14:01. This was followed immediately by a Mathieu Roy when he scored a goal in virtually the same manner at 14:06 cutting the Checkers lead to a score of 4-3. However, Charlotte would pull away after Bruce Graham fed Chris Capraro in the slot as he shot the puck through traffic and behind Daigneau at 17:05. This solidified the victory and the Checkers would skate away with a 5-3 win.
Notes: Darling turned aside 24 shots out of 27 while Daigneau stopped 31 of 36...Pensacola went scoreless on three power play chances and the Checkers scored once on six attempts...
The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Dec. 20 against the Gwinnett Gladiators. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. The Checkers are accepting deposits on all ticket packages. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from December 18, 2007
- Grizzlies beat Fresno, 5-2 - Utah Grizzlies
- Falcons fall in Utah 5-2 - Fresno Falcons
- Inferno ride Ford to shutout of Lynx, 1-0 - Augusta Lynx
- Ford shuts out Lynx - Columbia Inferno
- Checkers Strike Down Ice Pilots - Charlotte Checkers
- Pilots score twice in 5 seconds but fall 5-3 - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Ice Pilots weekly - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Keith Johnson promoted to Bridgeport - Utah Grizzlies
- Chiefs Join Forces With Johnstown Brewing Company - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Florida's Herauf Suspended One Game, Fined - ECHL
- Texas Welch Suspended Six Games, Fined - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Host Holiday Events This Week Vs. Alaska - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Dayton's Beaudoin Named In Glas Co Player Of The Week - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Receive Early Christmas Present From Moose - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Gwinnett's Turple Named Rbk Hockey Goalie Of The Week - ECHL
- Turple Named ECHL Goalie of the Week - Atlanta Gladiators
- Five-Game Homestand Continues This Weekend - Stockton Thunder
- Blades Teddy Bear Toss a success; Up next, The Holiday Food Drive - Florida Everblades
- I Think I'll Wait For The Digitally Re-Mastered âCoach's Cut'... - Reading Royals
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Select Wranglers content now ready for viewing anytime on Cox Digital Cable with On DEMAND - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Wranglers Streak Continues, Phoenix Wins Midnight Game In Shootout 5-4 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- After Midnight, RoadRunners Lasso Wranglers 5-4 In A Shootout - Phoenix RoadRunners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
