Checkers weekly
Published on October 22, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHECKERS FALL TO WILDCATTERS
Charlotte, NC. - The Checkers allowed four power play goals on the night and dropped a decision to the Texas Wildcatters by a score of 6-2.
It only took 53 seconds into the first period for Wildcatters forward, Troy Riddle to make a difference when he fired the puck past Checkers goaltender, Matt Zaba, who was making his professional debut. Zaba would quickly settle down making several key stops on back-to-back 5 on 3 power plays. Later, while Charlotte sported a man-advantage, Bruce Graham rifled the puck past goaltender, Anton Khudobin tying the game at 13:03.
The only goal of the second period came off the stick of Wildcatters forward, Danick Bouchard when he beat Zaba on a quick shot that snuck in under the crossbar at 15:01.
The final frame was littered with power play goals from the Wildcatters. They used their power plays to break open the game and collect three more goals. Texas forward, John McNabb and defenseman, Cleve Kinley both collected a goal and stretched their lead to 4-1. Despite Checkers forward, Lee Falardeau scoring a power play goal on a rebound from a Blake Bellefeuille shot at 13:42, it wasn't enough to mount a comeback. The Wildcatters would add two more power play goals and skate away with a 6-2 victory.
Notes: Zaba faced 32 shots while stopping 26 and Khudobin turned aside 25 of 27 shots...Wildcatters scored four power play goals on 10 attempts...Lee Falardeau has two goals in two games...Checkers score twice on 11 power-plays...
Oct. 19
CHECKERS WIN HOME OPENER AGAINST INFERNO
Despite Comeback, Columbia Falls Short
Charlotte, NC. - The Checkers dropped the puck on their 15th Anniversary season tonight as they defeated the Columbia Inferno, 5-4.
The Checkers stormed out of the gate when captain, Blake Bellefeuille scored a short handed goal at 2:52 to the delight of the 8,727 fans in attendance at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Later, Dusty Jamieson was given credit for a goal after a Columbia player inadvertently banked the puck off Inferno netminder, Todd Ford at 15:00 giving the Checkers a 2-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, Checkers blueliner, Kenny Smith took a nice pass from Bellefeuille and, after his initial shot, scored on his own rebound extending the lead to 3-0 and spelling a quick night for Ford as he was relieved by Jeff Jakaitis.
Charlotte would continue their offensive onslaught as Bellefeuille tallied another goal at 1:02 of the second and Lee Fallardeau would follow up with his first of the season at 3:39. The Checkers had what seemed to be an insurmountable 5-0 lead, however; the Inferno quickly made good on back-to-back breakaway chances. The first came off the stick of forward, Daniel Sparre at 3:58 and the second by Columbia captain, Brad Ralph.
In the final stanza, Columbia would net two more goals behind Checkers netminder, Chris Holt. Both Jeff Miles and Owen Fussey beat Holt with blazing shots, but ultimately the comeback was in vein and the Checkers would skate away with a 5-4 victory.
Notes: The Checkers went 1 for 7 on the power-play while the Inferno went scoreless on six attempts...Checkers were out-shot 27-26...Holt made 23 saves on 27 shots while Jakaitis turned aside 13 of 15 and Ford made 8 saves on 11 shots....
CHECKERS RECORD THIS SEASON
1-1-0-0
CHECKERS NOTES
- Captain Blake Bellefeuille started the season with a short-handed goal on Friday night against Columbia and ended the night with three points (2g, 1a)
- Lee Falardeau has two goals in two nights
- Matt Zaba made his professional debut on Saturday allowing six goals on 32 shots
- The Checkers will end their three-game home stand on Tuesday and begin a three game road trip ending on Nov. 4 in Gwinnett.
- Checkers are 3 for 18 on the power play this season while allowing 4 power-play goals against on 16 attempts
GAMES THIS WEEK
- Tuesday, Oct. 23 vs. Augusta @ 7:05 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 27 at Columbia @ 7:05 p.m.
CHECKERS LEADERS
Goals: Bellefeuille/Falardeau (2)
Assists: Bellefeuille, Blake (3)
Points: Bellefeuille, Blake (5)
Plus/Minus: Smith, Kenny (+2)
PIM: Nightingale, Jared (9)
Wins: Holt, Chris (1)
GAA: Holt, Chris (4.00)
Save Pct.: Holt, Chris (.852)
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