ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Weekly

Published on December 10, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


The Checkers (8-9-3 for 19 points) will continue their season-long, seven-game, road trip this week with three more games on the west coast. After winning three games on the first half of their west coast road trip, the Checkers will try to keep their momentum going starting Tuesday night in Bakersfield, California with a game against the Condors. Wednesday Charlotte will travel to Fresno to meet the Falcons before returning to Bakersfield Friday to close out the California portion of the road trip with another game against the Condors. With three victories last week in California, Charlotte improved its' road record to 7-3-2. Their seven wins are the second most in the 31-team ECHL, with only Columbia having more with eight.

TUESDAY'S & FRIDAY'S PREVIEW: The Checkers will continue their seven-game trip with a first-ever meeting with the Bakersfield Condors on Tuesday, and a return visit on Friday. Bakersfield was one of six teams that joined the ECHL from the former West Coast Hockey League. The Condors feature two former Checkers in right wing Vince Malts and left wing Andrew Ianiero, while Charlotte left wing Ivan Prokic played eight games earlier this season with the Condors. Bakersfield begins the week with a record of 8-10-2 for 18 points, and sits in fifth place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Center Kevin Riehl leads the Condors in scoring with 5g-13a = 18 pts. Peter Hirsch and Joe Watkins split the goaltending chores. Bakersfield is coached by Paul Kelly and the Condors are not affiliated with an NHL or AHL club.

WEDNESDAY'S PREVIEW: Charlotte will also play a first-ever game with the Fresno Falcons as their west coast road trip continues. Fresno was one of six teams that joined the ECHL from the former West Coast Hockey League. The Falcons begin the week in sixth place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference with a record of 7-13-1 for 15 points. Fresno has played the fewest home games of any team in the ECHL, sporting a 1-2-1 home mark in four games. The Falcons play at the brand new Save Mart Center, which just opened this season. Center Greg Bullock leads the Falcons in scoring with 10g-15a = 25 points. Right wing Brad Mehalko and defenseman Doug MacIver are former Checkers now playing with Fresno. Charlotte left wing Ivan Prokic played six games earlier this season for the Falcons. Fresno is coaches by Blaine Moore and is affiliated with the NHL's San Jose Sharks and the AHL's Cleveland Barons.

CHECKERS RECENT MOVES AND TRANSACTIONS:

Thurs. Dec 4 Placed defenseman Patrick Aufiero on the seven-day injured reserve list

Fri. Dec 5 Obtained defenseman Nathan Horne in a trade with Las Vegas.

Fri. Dec 5 Signed free agent left wing Ivan Prokic.

NEWS AND NOTES:

· The Checkers are second in the ECHL in road wins with seven. Only Columbia has more with eight.

· Charlotte is 7-3-2 on the road, contrasted by a 1-6-1 mark at home.

· Charlotte is on a three-game winning streak.

· The Checkers are 3-0 on their season-long, seven-game road trip.

· Checkers left wing Dave Inman has an eight-game point streak with 4g-9a=13pts in that span, and is the team's leading scorer at 5g-14a=19 pts.

· Checkers center Benoit Dusablon has a seven-game point streak alive, with 6g,5a = 11 points in that span. Dusablon also had the lone hat trick in the ECHL last week.

· Checkers right wing Brandon Cullen has a six-game point streak alive with 4g, 3a = 7 pts in that span.

· Dave Inman leads the ECHL in short-handed goals with three, and is tied for the ECHL lead in short-handed points with three.

· The Checkers are tied for 1st in the ECHL in shorthanded goals with six (Blaz Emersic (2), Dave Inman (3), an Cuthbert and Kengo Ito)

· Charlotte pulled to within six points of the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL's Southern Division of the Eastern Conference. The Checkers trail fourth place Roanoke by six points with two games in hand.

· The Checkers have played the last three games without left wing Dusty Jamieson, Center Konrad McKay and defenseman Patrick Aufiero.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

ULTIMATE STOCKING STUFFER NOW ON SALE INCLUDES 4-PACK OF TICKETS AND PUCK

The Checkers are proud to offer you the perfect gift for that person on your list that wants excitement! We have the Ultimate Stocking Stuffer, a 4-pack of tickets plus a Checkers puck all for just $50. Simply call the Checkers office to order yours today!

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TICKET INFO: All individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased at the Cricket Arena Box Office, the Charlotte Coliseum Box Office, and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by using a credit card and calling Ticketmaster at (704) 522-6500, and through the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com.

Individual game tickets for the 2003-04 season are priced at $7.00 for balcony seats, $10.00 for end mezzanine seats, $12.00 for side mezzanine seats, $15.00 for circle seats, and $20.00 for box seats.

Season Tickets, mini plans and group tickets remain on sale through the Checkers office. Season tickets prices will now be prorated Further information can be obtained by calling the Checkers office at (704) 342-4! 423.

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ECHL Stories from December 10, 2003


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.

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