Jones' Hat Trick Lifts Kalamazoo Over Charlotte
Published on January 9, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
KALAMAZOO, MI - The Charlotte Checkers managed to put four goals past one of the league's hottest goaltenders, Ryan Nie, but it wasn't enough as they were downed, 7-4, by the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday night in Michigan.
Andrew Carroll added a pair of goals and now has a team-leading 15 tallies while Julien Brouilette recorded a goal, assist and fighting major for the Gordie Howe hat trick. Miika Wiikman made 24 saves and was handed his first regulation loss since Nov. 8, also against Kalamazoo, a span of 11 games.
Nie stopped 36 shots for his fourth win in a row while Matt Jones led the way offensively for Wings with three goals and, for the second consecutive game, scored the game-winner. The Wings have now won five straight.
Charlotte opened the scoring just under two minutes into the game when Jean-Philipp Chabot fed a nice pass to Carroll in the slot. Carroll cradled the pass and slid it past Nie to take the early 1-0 lead.
Kalamazoo would light the lamp three times before the end of the period. Jones directed a cross-crease pass from Andrew Fournier past Wiikman at 5:28 before adding another just over six minutes later. With under two minutes to play in the period, Sam Ftorek skated in alone on the Checkers' netminder and beat him with a backhander to take a two-goal lead.
The Wings then took a three-goal lead just over five minutes into the second, on the power play, as Mathieu Curadeau took a point shot that made its way through traffic and into the back of the net.
The Checkers would capitalize on a power play of their own late in the period to cut Kalamazoo's lead to two. On a 5-on-3 advantage, leading scorer Tyler Doig fed a pass to Brouillette who then rifled a slap shot over the glove of Nie for his seventh of the season.
Kalamazoo, however, would tally three quick goals in a span of 2:16 midway through the period, jumping to a 7-2 lead. On the power play, Jones recorded the hat trick when he redirected a pass from Ftorek past Wiikman. Just a minute and a half later, Rick Cleaver chased Wiikman from the Charlotte net when he blasted a one-timer into the top corner on a 4-on-3 man advantage. Ftorek, riding a wave of momentum, added a breakaway goal just 44 seconds later for the five-goal lead.
At the midway point of the third period, Charlotte showed signs of life as David Marshall beat Nie, making it a 7-3 game. Mike Taylor and Brouillette picked up assists on the play.
Carroll would add a late goal, his fifth in the last five games, however, it wasn't enough as Kalamazoo hung on for the 7-4 victory.
The Checkers (18-12-4-0) will continue their northern swing in Toledo tomorrow before returning home to host the Gwinnett Gladiators on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
ECHL Stories from January 9, 2010
- Wranglers Explode in Third to Top Reign, 5-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Steelheads dethrone Salmon Kings - Idaho Steelheads
- Royals Shut Down By Cincy, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- Toledo Downs Trenton, 3-1 - Trenton Devils
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Forwards Sam Ftorek and Matt Jones Combine for Eight Points in 7-4 Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals hold off Everblades for shootout win - Elmira Jackals
- Jones' Hat Trick Lifts Kalamazoo Over Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Jackals overcome Florida - Florida Everblades
- Gladiators Down Stingrays 6-5 in OT - Atlanta Gladiators
- Campbell and Johnson Combine for Eight Points in 6-5 OT Loss to Gladiators - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones Defeat Reading, 4-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Walleye Freeze Devils, 3-1 - Toledo Walleye
- Springfield Reassigns Goaltender Sorochan To Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Constant Is Co-Winner Of ECHL Plus Performer Award - Stockton Thunder
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Finish Road Trip Tonight Against Gwinnett - South Carolina Stingrays
- Galivan Recalled To Chicago Wolves - Atlanta Gladiators
- All-Star Television Crew Is Michaels, Plagens, Smith - ECHL
- Royals Sign Forward Travis Whitehead - Reading Royals
- ECHL All-Star Game Television Broadcast Available In Over 66 Million Homes - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Aces Dig Early 3-0 Hole, Rally For 5-3 Win - Alaska Aces
- Grizzlies Dropped 5-3 In Alaska - Utah Grizzlies
- Steelheads Fall In Victoria, 5-2 - Idaho Steelheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
