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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Take Down Gladiators, 5-3

December 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers battled back from behind to defeat the Gwinnett Gladiators for the first time this season by a score of 5-3.

It only took one minute for Checkers defenseman, Matt Waddell to score after he fired a shot that deflected past Gwinnett goalie, Dan Turple giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead. Gwinnett would tie things up at 6:07 after Jon Awe rifled a shot that beat Checkers netminder Mike Ayers through a screen on the power play. The Gladiators would go ahead by a goal after Lou Dickenson snuck a shot that just went off the glove of Ayers and in at 8:50

Late in the middle frame, Mike Bayrack would tie the game at 2-2 when he roofed the puck over the shoulder of Turple at 18:17.

In the final period, the Checkers would pull away after Kenton Smith's point shot was redirected by Shawn Vinz at 4:44 recapturing a Checkers one goal advantage of 3-2. Later, Chris Capraro would dangle around Turple and slam it home after he was the beneficiary of a beautiful pass from Bruce Graham in the slot at 6:01. Capraro was hauled down on a breakaway attempt and was awarded a penalty shot where he would score on a nice shot that beat Turple low blocker at 17:04 putting up Charlotte 5-2. Gwinnett blueliner Awe would score once more later in the game to pull his team to within two goals but it was too late to bridge the gap and the Checkers would skate away with a 5-3 victory.

Notes: Ayers turned aside 29 of 32 shots while Turple stopped 23 of 28...Gwinnett had the only power play goal of the game. They had two tries while Charlotte had three attempts.

The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Dec. 27 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 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.

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