AHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Win Home Opener, 5-2

October 12, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, NC (Nov 25, 2002) - After spotting the Greenville Grrrowl a 2-0 lead, the Charlotte Checkers suddenly came alive with five unanswered goals and cruised to a 5-2 home opening night win Friday night at Cricket Arena. Japanese import Takahito Suzuki scored a hat trick for the Checkers, and became the first player from Japan to ever score a point in the East Coast Hockey League. Defenseman Nick Bilotto and right wing Walker McDonald also scored for the Checkers, and rookie netminder Niklas Sundberg came off the bench in relief of starting Charlotte goalie Bryce Wandler to get the win.

"The guys were very enthusiastic about playing tonight," remarked Checkers' Head Coach Don MacAdam. "With our new ownership, jerseys and new theme, (Back At Full Strength) we wanted to come out and play well." MacAdam also commented on Sundberg's play. "Niklas had to make some big saves in the second half of the game when Greenville was creating some good scoring opportunities."

Greenville grabbed an early 1-0 lead just 4:41 into the contest as Eric Lind's slapper from just inside the blueline eluded Checkers' goalie Bryce Wandler.

The Checkers had four power plays but Grrrowl goalie Michael Garnett stopped several point blank stops to keep the Checkers off the board in the first frame. The Checkers out shot the Grrrowl 12-4 in the period.

Early in the second period Greenville increased its' lead to 2-0 as Luke Sellars fired a shot from long range that beat Wandler, prompting MacAdam to pull his starting goalie in favor of rookie Niklas Sundberg.

Charlotte caught fire and exploded for four second period goals. Suzuki led the charge when he scored his first of three midway through the second period off a rebound of a Bilotto shot. Less than five minutes later Suzuki scored again, this time from a Vince Malts assist, to tie the game at 2-2. Three minutes later Bilotto beat Grrrowl goalie Michael Garnett to give the Checkers the lead at 3-2, and a lead that they would never relinquish.

Less than 30 second later, Suzuki captured the hat trick off a Kenton Smith helper to give Charlotte a 4-2 lead after two periods. Greenville pressed hard in the third with 12 shots, but the Checkers' defense and Sundberg held the Grrrowl at bay. Charlotte (1-0-0) out shot Greenville 27-25, and stymied the Grrrowl (0-1-0) by killing off all of their nine power play chances in the game. The Checkers connected on three of their ten power play chances.

The Checkers will be idle until next weekend when they'll play two games on the road, beginning with a Friday night, October 18 match in Richmond.

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