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Checkers win another high scoring affair, 6-5 at Augusta

December 18, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Augusta, Georgia - Saturday, December 17, 2005) For the second consecutive game the Charlotte Checkers left their defense behind and went for wins by out-scoring their opponents. And for the second consecutive game they were successful. The Checkers got a two-goal, two-assist performance from Mike Bayrack and came from behind to defeat the Augusta Lynx 6-5 Saturday night in Georgia. Checkers goalie Chris Holt earned his second win of the season in his fourth start with 26 saves.

Charlotte has won three straight and four of its last five, and improved its road record to 8-6-1. Combined with Charlotte's 8-6 triumph over Florida Friday night, the Checkers have scored 14 goals in their last two games while giving up 11. The bottom line is wins are wins and Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson will take them.

"For whatever reason we've decided to get involved in high scoring games the last two nights. I'm glad to have the wins even though our defense and goaltending has not been where I'd like it to be. It is great to see our offense do so well the past week so as long we get the wins it's hard to be disappointed."

Charlotte took a 1-0 lead as Kenton Smith blasted a shot that eluded Lynx starting goalie Mike Wall at 4:35 of the first period. Augusta tied the game four minutes later as Lee Jacobson's screen shot from the point found its way into the back of the Checkers net. The Lynx took their first lead of the game with 4:21 to go in the period as Corbeil circled the Charlotte cage, walked in front and scored on a 15 foot wrister for a 2-1 Augusta lead.

In the second period the Lynx assumed a two-goal lead as Eric Lundberg scored short-handed for a 3-1 Augusta advantage. Charlotte stormed back in lightning-like fashion with a pair of goals in a 36 second span to tie the game at 3-3. Bryan Rodney's wrist shot from the right-wing circle at 11:08 brought the Checkers to within one, and then Bayrack's wrister from right in front of Wall knotted things up.

Augusta took their second lead of the game less than a minute later, as Sullivan got a loose puck in front of a prone and sprawled out Holt and scored for a 4-3 advantage. Two minutes later Charlotte would equalize again, as Bayrack fed a perfect pass to Jamieson right in front of the Lynx goal for an easy tap in and a 4-4 score through two periods.

Bayrack and Jake Ortmeyer scored in the third period as the Checkers secured a 6-4 advantage. But just 26 seconds after Ortmeyer's goal, Joel Stepp scored on a breakaway to make it a one goal game. The Lynx pulled their goalies with a minute to go in the game for an extra attacker, but despite some close calls, the Checkers were able to hang on for the win and the 6-5 final.

The victory allowed the Checkers to raise their record to 13-9-1 for 27 points. Charlotte is in fourth place in the ECHL's Southern Division, just three points out of first place. Augusta's record fell to 11-13-2 for 24 points. The Checkers will close out their busy four-game week Sunday afternoon when they will once again meet the Florida Everblades at 4:00 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.


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