Checkers Weekly
Published on March 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
TUESDAY'S & FRIDAY'S PREVIEW: The Checkers will continue their four-game homestand Tuesday when they'll meet the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in the first of two remaining meetings at Cricket Arena this season. Friday the Checkers will close out the regular season series against the Boardwalk Bullies at 7:35 p.m. Charlotte is 2-2-0 versus Atlantic City so far this season. The only game played on Cricket Arena ice so far this season was a 4-1 Checkers win on January 24. The Bullies have been holding down first place in the Northeast Division for most of the season. Atlantic City has also been hit hard by loans to the AHL this season, but may have some players back for this week's games. Forwards Kevin Colley and Scott Matzka are reported to be returning from their respective AHL clubs and back in the the AC lineup Tuesday night.
2002-03 VS. ATLANTIC CITY (37-15-12 = 86 PTS) SIX-GAME SEASON SERIES OVERALL - 2-2-0 HOME - 1-0-0 AWAY - 1-2-0 LIFETIME VS. ATLANTIC CITY: 4-3-2 LIFETIME VS. ATLANTIC CITY FRANCHISE: 10-8-4
** Includes games when franchise was in Birmngham
SATURDAY'S PREVIEW: The Checkers will close out their eight-game season series with Roanoke Saturday night at Cricket Arena. Saturday's game will be the regular season home finale. Assistant Coach Tony MacAuley took over for Head Coach Perry Florio who was fired on January 28, and the Express has continued their winning ways under MacAuley's leadership. Rookie sensation Jason Jaffray lead the Express and all ECHL rookies in scoring, entering the week with 31 goals and 49 assists for 80 points. Charlotte has won the last two meetings between the two teams, both in shootouts. Following Monday night's Express loss to Peoria, the Checkers trail second place Roanoke by only three points heading into Tuesday's action.
2002-03 VS. ROANOKE (37-21-6 = 80 PTS) **Includes 3-1 loss Monday night to Peoria EIGHT-GAME SEASON SERIES OVERALL - 4-2-1 HOME - 2-1-0 AWAY - 2-1-1 LIFETIME VS. ROANOKE - 31-30-9
SUNDAY'S PREVIEW: Charlotte will close out the regular season with a four-game road trip, begining with a Sunday afternoon game against the Cottonmouths in Columbus, Georgia. This is the lone game against Columbus this season. The Cottonmouths are in last place in the Southeast Division, and are still fighting for a playoff spot in that division. Right wing Brent Cullaton leads the Cottonmouths in scoring with 15 goals, 43 assists for 58 points. Columbus General Manager and former Montreal Canadien and St. Louis Blues star, Phil Roberto, took over the coaching reins on an interim basis from Bruce Garber who resigned in late Janaury.
2002-03 VS COLUMBUS (21-36-8 = 50 PTS) NINE-GAME SEASON SERIES OVERALL - 0-0-0 HOME - 0-0-0 AWAY - 0-0-0 LIFETIME VS. COLUMBUS - 2-1-0 LIFETIME VS. COLUMBUS - 27-23-10
** Includes games when franchise was in Hampton Roads
CHECKERS RECENT MOVES AND TRANSACTIONS:
Saturday, March 8 - The Checkers signed forward Mike Hartman.
Monday, March 10 - The Checkers released forward Mike Hartman.
Monday, March 10 - The Hartford Wolf Pack assigned defenseman Jeff State to Charlotte.
Monday, March 10 - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers returned defenseman Nick Bilotto to Charlotte.
Tuesday, March 11 - The Hartford Wolf Pack recalled goalie Scott Meyer.
Thursday, March 13 - The Checkers loaned defenseman Nick Bilotto to Rochester (AHL).
Saturday, March 15 - The Checkers signed forward Mike Hartman.
NEWS AND NOTES:
⢠Checkers went 4-0-1 last week.
⢠Checkers have won three straight and have a seven-game unbeaten streak at 7-0-1)
⢠Checkers are 10-1-1 in last 12 games
⢠In December the Checkers trailed the fourth and final playoff spot in the Northeast Division by 17 points. They have since sliced that deficit to one point.
⢠Left Wing Dave Inman has scored at least one point in six of his last seven games with 4g-9a-13pts in that span.
⢠Goalie Colin Zulianello went 3-0-1 last week with one shutout, a 1.97 GAA and a .933 save percentage.
⢠The Checkers are 7-0 in shootouts this season, getting their seventh last Tuesday night in a 5-4 SO victory at Roanoke.
⢠Defenseman Nick Bilotto was loaned to the AHL's Rochester Americans last Friday.
⢠Goaltender Scott Meyer, the ECHL's goaltender of the month for February, was recalled by the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday. He was 20-5-0 for the Checkers with a 2.61 GAA and .917 save percentage.
⢠Defenseman Chad Wilchynski went +8 last week and continues to lead the Checkers in plus/minus at +26
⢠The Checkers are tied with Atlantic City and Roanoke for most wins in the Northeast Division with 37. The Checkers also have the most road wins in the division with 17.
⢠The Checkers are staging a post-game concert Friday night following their game with Atlantic City, featuring Christian contemporary group FFH. All a fan needs is a ticket to the Checkers / Bullies game this Friday, as there is no extra charge for the concert. The game will be close to a sellout (9,705). The last time FFH played after a Checkers game was March 9, 2001 with 9,705 on hand, the largest crowd to ever watch a Checkers game.
TEAM LEADERS:
POINTS EDDIE PERSHIN (58)
GOALS KEVIN CAULFIELD (24)
ASSISTS EDDIE PERSHIN (38)
PLUS / MINUS CHAD WILCHYNSKI (+27)
PENALTY MINUTES BRANDON CULLEN (202)
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
Tuesday, March 11 @ Roanoke W 5-3 SO
Wednesday, March 12 (H) Wheeling L 3-4 OT
Friday, March 14 (H) Richmond W 5-2
Saturday, March 15 @ South Carolina W 3-0
Sunday, March 16 (H) Reading W 7-2
Checkers went 4-0-1 last week.
TICKET INFO: Individual game tickets for all Checkers' regular season home games may be purchased through Ticketmaster via phone at (704) 522-6500, via website, www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Cricket Arena Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Boulevard in Charlotte (704) 335-3100. Group Tickets and Mini-Plans are also on sale. Specific ticket information can be obtained by calling the Checkers' office (704) 342-4423.
The Charlotte Checkers enter their tenth season as members of the East Coast Hockey League, who celebrate their 15th anniversary this season. The team is owned by Felix Sabates and Carl Scheer. The Checkers play all home games at Cricket Arena. For more information on Charlotte's professional hockey team, please visit www.gocheckers.com, or call (704) 342-4423.
American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2003
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- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
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