Inferno beat Checkers 6-4

April 3, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 3, 2008)-The Columbia Inferno (32-28-5-6, 75 points), paced with a two-goal night from winger Daniel Sparre, beat the Charlotte Checkers (34-29-1-6, 75 points) 6-4 on Thursday night to challenge for the fifth seed in the South Division's playoff slate.

The Inferno took a 1-0 lead midway through the first when Julien Brouillette smacked a Joel Hanson rebound past Chris Holt for his fourth goal of the year.

Sparre and Liam Huculak scored about a minute apart early in the second period to open a 3-0 lead for the Inferno before the three minute mark. Charlotte defenseman Kenton Smith trimmed the Columbia lead six minutes in when his shot from the point beat Todd Ford high on the blocker side. Forward Mark Lee brought the Checkers to within one goal when he collected a Justin Maiser rebound and put it past a sprawling Ford. Mac Faulkner reclaimed a two goal lead when he buried a shot alone in the slot past Holt to give the Inferno a 4-2 lead with just 10 seconds left in the second period.

Sparre's second of the night pushed the Inferno's lead to three goals when, at 3:06, he received a pass from Faulkner in the low slot and beat Holt's five hole. Checkers defenseman Michael Busto made the game 5-3 eight minutes into the final frame when his wrister from the high circle beat Ford's low glove side. Blake Bellefeuille brought the Checkers to within one goal when he connected on a one-timer from Lee with two minutes left in the game. Jeff Miles iced the victory when his empty netter sealed the game 6-4 with just four seconds left on the clock.

Ford finished with 24 saves on 28 shots, while Holt stopped 23 of 28.

For the Inferno to claim the fifth seed in the South Division, they will need to win their remaining game while the Checkers would need to lose their next two games.

The Inferno return to the Carolina Coliseum for their regular season finale when they host the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday, April 4 at 7:05 p.m.

2008 Kelly Cup Playoff tickets are now available by calling the Inferno office at 803.256.7825 or by logging on to www.columbiainferno.com.



ECHL Stories from April 3, 2008


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