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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers walk away in alligator shoes

December 9, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – There was a lot at stake in tonight's game against the Louisiana IceGators. Not only were the Checkers playing for position in the American Conference, they were trying to break a four-game winless skid and rejuvenate a once fiery offense. The Checkers knew they would get the best of what Louisiana had to offer, but it proved to be to little, as the Checkers went up early and held on with a patchwork defense to defeat the IceGators 3-2.

Mission accomplished.

Both teams came out on the attack, looking for chances against Checkers goalie Alex Westlund and Louisiana's Nathan Marsters. Westlund certainly was a star of the game, finishing with 33 saves on a night when the defense needed him more than ever.

"Alex is starting take over," said Checkers Head Coach Derek Wilkinson about his netminder. "He's really beginning to be the guy."

Checkers center Juris Stals and defenseman (for the night) Ryan Lang helped Westlund's cause with a textbook give-and-go, as Stals wristed one past Louisiana goalie Nathan Marsters 7:49 into the period. Lang, normally a center, looked right at home adjusting to his role, even tallying another assist in the second period.

"He's (Lang) mainly a defensive forward," said Wilkinson, "but anything he chips in offensively is great for us."

That looked to be the end of scoring for the period, until Jason Dawe rocketed a shot from the wing that slipped just between Marsters' stick hand and body. A jump-started offense put the team up 2-0 after one.

The IceGators staged a comeback with a goal early in the second making it 2-1, but the Checkers quickly answered. At 11:32 into the second, Lang fired a beautiful pass to Brandon Cullen for the score. With a 3-1 Checkers advantage, the IceGators were facing a situation that has plagued them all year long. Not only have they never won a game when the opposing team scores first, but they have never won a game when facing a third period deficit.

Both scenarios worked in Charlotte's favor, although the IceGators snuck a late goal past Westlund 18:38 into the third period. The Checkers up their record to 12-5-2 for 26 points and get revenge on a team that outscored them 12-3 in two games during the 2003-04 season.

The Checkers bring the momentum down to Georgia, where they will face the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday, December 10. Friday's game will be the first of an eight-game road trip, ending up in Mississippi, where they will face the Sea Wolves on Wednesday, December 22.

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