Kelly Cup Playoffs Update

Published on April 28, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Wednesday's Action

American Conference

Gwinnett vs. Charlotte – Charlotte leads 2-1

The Charlotte Checkers appear to be gaining playoff momentum after a 4-1 win over the Gwinnett Gladiators Wednesday night in Game Three of their American Conference Semi Final series.

After trailing their opening round series 2-0 to the Columbia Inferno, the Checkers have won five of their last six games, with their only loss an overtime contest against the Checkers in Game One of the series.

The Gladiators opened the scoring at 6:51 of the first period on a Jeff Campbell goal, but the lead was short lived. David Liffiton tied the contest with a four-on-four goal at 9:54 from Ryan Lang and Rory Rawlyk, followed shortly thereafter by Rawlyk's first goal of the playoffs to make it 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.

Charlotte put the game out of reach on goals by Dwight Helminen and Ryan Cuthbert in the second period, but the most interesting play of the stanza was one that didn't result in a goal. Gladiators' starter Sean Fields came out to try to play the puck away from onrushing Checker Dusty Jamieson. Jamieson ended up behind Fields with the puck, but Fields fired his stick at Jamieson to prevent the goal, which resulted in a penalty shot. Jamieson was stuffed in the ensuing attempt, keeping the score 3-1 at the time.

Fields was lifted from the game after surrendering the fourth goal of the contest at 16:02 of the second period, and finished with 14 saves and was tagged for the loss. Adam Berkhoel finished the contest for Gwinnett with seven saves and no goals against.

Meanwhile, Alex Westlund continued his solid play with 33 saves in the winning effort. Westlund is now 5-3 in the playoffs with a 2.13 GAA and .940 save percentage for Charlotte.

Game Four will come Thursday night in Charlotte at 7:05 pm, with Gwinnett facing elimination for the first time this season. Gwinnett is 2-1 all-time when facing elimination.

National Conference

Reading vs. Trenton – Trenton leads 2-1

Yet another back and forth, hotly contested battle between the Trenton Titans and Reading Royals was decided by a single goal, this time requiring overtime to crown the winner. Trenton's Matt Zultek stepped forward to add his name to the pantheon of overtime goal scorers this season at 5:53 of the extra session to give the Titans a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series edge and push Reading to the brink of elimination in Friday's Game Four.

Reading's Tom Galvin kicked off the scoring at 16:12 of the first period, setting a power play goal trend that would carry through all of regulation.

Michael Schutte evened the score at 1-1 with a man advantage marker for Trenton at 7:13 of the second period, followed by Rick Kowalsky boosting the Titans to their first lead of the contest at 9:52 of the third period. Schutte's goal came during a 4-on-3 advantage, while Kowalsky's was 5-on-4.

Reading would rally, however, when Trenton's Les Haggett was whistled for high sticking at 15:48 of the final frame. Putting it together one more time with the man advantage, the Royals' David Masse scored at 16:21 to force overtime with help from Graig Mischler and Cail MacLean.

Enter Zultek. Twice drafted in the NHL and having spent at least one game at the AHL level in all five of his pro seasons, the big left winger produced the biggest goal of the playoffs thus far for Trenton just 5:53 into the fourth period from Steve Munn and Bryce Cockburn to give his team the victory. The win now pushes the Royals to the edge of elimination for the first time in the 2005 playoffs.

Andrew Allen made 37 saves, including five in overtime, to pick up the win. Barry Brust made 25 saves in taking the loss.

American Conference Semifinals (Best-of-Five)

No. 2 Gwinnett Gladiators (40-24-8) at No. 3 Charlotte Checkers (39-26-7) 7:05 p.m. ET Charlotte Leads Series 2-1 * Checkers scored four unanswered goals in 4-1 win in Game 3 on Wednesday. * Gladiators have out shot the Checkers 142 to 71 in first three games, but have been outscored 9-6. * Charlotte goaltender Alex Westlund is 5-3 and leads the playoffs in minutes (506) and saves (280). * Gwinnett's Sean Fields is 0-2 with a 3.33 goals-against average in his first two professional playoff starts. * Ryan Glenn has a goal and two assists for Charlotte in his last two games and leads all defenseman in playoff scoring with 8 points (3g-5a). * Neither team has scored a goal in the third period during the series. * Jeff Campbell scored only goal in Gwinnett's 4-1 loss in Game 3 and has points in two of last three games. * In three home playoff games, Charlotte is perfect 3-0 and has outscored its opponents 12-4. * Chris Durno leads the Gladiators with five goals and seven points through seven playoff games. * Checkers lead all playoff teams with nine goals in the first period. * Gladiators lead the league in shots per-game (47.43) and rank third in goals per-game (3.43). * Alex Westlund stopped all 21 shots in the second and third periods of Charlotte's Game 3 win. * In two road playoff games, Gwinnett is 0-2 and has scored only three goals. * Charlotte had 11 players score a point in Game 3.

Other Kelly Cup Playoffs Series

National Conference - North Division Finals (Best-of-Five)

No. 1 Reading Royals (43-22-7) at No. 2 Trenton Titans (42-21-9) Trenton Leads Series 2-1 Game 4 - Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET

American Conference Semifinals (Best-of-Five)

No. 1 Florida Everblades (42-20-10) vs. No. 4 Greenville Grrrowl (39-28-5) Florida Wins Series 3-0

National Conference - West Division Finals (Best-of-Five)

No. 1 Alaska Aces (45-19-8) vs. No. 2 Long Beach Ice Dogs (43-20-9) Alaska Wins Series 3-00

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ECHL Stories from April 28, 2005


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