Checkers weekly
November 22, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHECKERS GO FOUR-FOR-FOUR
CHARLOTTE, NC â The Charlotte Checkers (10-2-1; 21 PTS; 1ST East Div) went 4-0-0 last week to retain control of the East Division. This week, the Checkers play three games in five nights, beginning Tuesday at Cricket Arena vs. the Augusta Lynx. On Friday, the Checkers host the Columbia Inferno. The Checkers hit the road on Saturday for the first of two away matches vs. the Pee Dee Pride.
LAST WEEK
Tuesday, November 16 @ Columbia, W 6-3
The Checkers staged what may be the most incredible comeback in team history, erasing a 3-0 third period deficit with six unanswered goals for the victory. Rookie Lee Falardeau had his first professional hat trick, Rory Rawlyk scored a pair of goals, and Mike Harder's goal with 36 seconds left in the contest put the lid on the game.
Wednesday, November 17 vs. Texas, W 6-5
It came down to a shoot-out with the Wildcatters in front of 3,165 fans. In the second period, the Checkers found themselves down 3-0 for the second straight night. After collecting the assist for a Kenton Smith goal, Ryan Lang got a goal of his own off a pass from Rory Rawlyk. It was Rawlyk's turn next to tally a goal which made it even at the end of the second. Texas went up 5-3 in the third until Smith lit the lamp for the second time that night followed by a goal from rookie Dwight Helminen. After a scoreless overtime, goalie Kelly Guard was perfect between the pipes in the shoot-out. Pistolaros Dan Preston and Mike Harder both rang the Texas bell to give the Checkers the win.
Friday, November 19 @ Gwinnett, W 4-3
The Checkers won another game the hard way. Goals by Jason Dawe, Mike Harder, and Lee Falardeau had the Checkers up 3-0 in the second period, until the Gladiators came roaring back. Scoring three unanswered goals, the last coming with just 1:03 left in regulation, Gwinnett was able to force an overtime. With time ticketing down, Eddie Pershin hit the game winner. Goalie Kelly Guard had 54 saves in the effort.
Saturday, November 20 vs. Greenville, W 3-2
For the third straight game, the outcome would be decided in overtime. After a scoreless first period in front of 6,958 fans, the Checkers went down 1-0 :50 seconds into the second. Matt Chandler quickly evened the score followed by a bell-ringer from Ryan Lang to put the Checkers ahead 2-1. At 8:24 in the third, the Grrrowl tied it up, forcing a scoreless overtime. In the shootout, Goalie Kelly Guard had three big saves as Eddie Pershin, Jason Dawe, and Dan Preston shot the Checkers to victory.
THIS WEEK
Tuesday, November 23 vs. Augusta Lynx, 7:00 p.m. at Cricket Arena
Friday, November 26 vs. Columbia Inferno, 7:00 p.m. at Cricket Arena
Saturday, November 27 @ Pee Dee Pride, 7:30 p.m.
PRACTICE/GAME SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 23 - Practice @ Cricket Arena - 10:00am
- Game vs. Augusta â 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 24 â Practice @ Cricket Arena - 10:00am
Thursday, November 25 - Practice @ Cricket Arena - 9:00am
Friday, November 26 â Practice @ Cricket Arena - 10:00am
- Game vs. Columbia â 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 27 - Practice @ Cricket Arena - 10:00am
- Game @ Pee Dee â 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 28 - OFF
Monday, November 29 - Practice @ Cricket Arena - 10:00am
CHECKERS NEWS
· The Charlotte Checkers lead the league in points standings with 21 points. The Checkers also have the third highest winning percentage in the league with .808.
· Defenseman Rory Rawlyk is currently ÂÂtied for 2nd in the league with a +/- rating of +9. In addition to Rawlyk, the Checkers have 7 other players with a +4 rating or higher. They are Eddie Pershin (+8), Ryan Lang (+5), Dan Preston (+5), Lee Falardeau (+4), Dusty Jamieson (+4), Dwight Helminen (+4), and Matt Chandler (+6).
· Center Mike Harder has 12 assists (2nd in league) and is currently tied for the top slot among ECHL leading scorers with 18 points. Left winger Eddie Pershin is tied for third with 16 points.
· Goalie Kelly Guard remains undefeated this season. He leads the league in overtime wins with 2 and he's tied for second in the league with 7 wins. He is also tied for second in shotout wins with 2.
· Dan Preston's 11 points has him tied for first in the league among leading defensemen scorers. Preston is also tied for third in the assists-by-defensemen category with 10.
· Kenton Smith is tied for second in the league for goals scored by defensemen with 4. He also has the best shooting percentage among defensemen with 0.190.
· Rookie forward Lee Falardeau was one of only three players in the league to score a hat trick last week. It was his first as a professional and came during the Checkers 6-goal rally against Columbia on November 16, 2004.
CHECKERS LEADERS
Goals: Eddie Pershin (7)
Assists: Mike Harder (12)
Points: Mike Harder (18)
Plus/Minus: Rory Rawlyk (+9)
PIM: Brandon Cullen (34)
Wins: Kelly Guard (7)
GAA: Kelly Guard (2.29)
Save Pct.: Kelly Guard (0.920)
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