ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Lee and Holt lead Checkers to 4-1 win

Published on April 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Duluth, Georgia - Tuesday, April 3) The Charlotte Checkers are red-hot and playing their best hockey of the season. Equally hot is winger, Mark Lee, who had a hat trick in leading the Checkers to a 4-1 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators Tuesday night in Duluth, Georgia.

Charlotte goalie Chris Holt won his second straight since returning Sunday from a stint with Hartford in the American Hockey League. Holt made 36 saves and Mike Ouellette added an empty-net goal as the Checkers won their sixth straight and seventh in their last eight games. Blake Bellefeuille also assisted on all three Lee goals.

The win gave Charlotte 85 points, just two behind Gwinnett's 87. The Checkers are in fourth place in the ECHL's South division, while the Gladiators hold down third place. Charlotte (41-25-1-2) holds one game in hand on Gwinnett in its quest to secure the third spot in the division, and avoid the mini-series playoff between the fourth and fifth place teams.

The Checkers ended up winning the nine-game season series against the Gladiators going 5-4-0 against Gwinnett. It's the first time Charlotte has won a season series against the Gladiators since Gwinnett came into the ECHL in 2003.

"We came out very business-like tonight and played solid in all areas," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "This group is playing with a lot of confidence right now, and really has been for several weeks now."

The Checkers jumped out to an early lead at 5 minutes, 15 seconds of the first period. Lee scored his first of the night off helpers from Bellefeuille and Ryan Constant. The Gladiators replied with a power-play goal from the center point by Jon Awe at 9:38, and the two teams went to the locker room after one period tied at 1-1.

Charlotte took the lead for good a little over a minute into the second period, as Lee scored short-handed off a two-on-one break for a 2-1 advantage. The Checkers increased their lead to 3-1 midway through the period when Bellefeuille sprung Lee away on a breakaway. Lee deked Gwinnett goalie, Dave Caruso, and then completed his hat trick with his 26th goal of the season.

In the final period the Checkers played tight defense with Holt making several timely saves to keep the Gladiators away from the scoreboard. With Caruso pulled for a sixth attacker, Ouellette found the empty net with 22 seconds left in the contest to seal the 4-1 win.

The Checkers will continue their busy four-game week back at Charlotte Bobcats Arena Wednesday night hosting the Texas Wildcatters at 7:00 p.m.

CHECKERS TUESDAY SCRATCHES: Rick Kozak and Niko Tuomi

ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Hannu Pikkarainen, Alex Westlund, Corey Potter and Hugh Jessiman

ON LOAN TO (AHL) PROVIDENCE: Ryan Glenn

FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1764

NEXT GAME: The Checkers host the Texas Wildcatters Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The Checkers will close out the regular season at home Saturday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena at 7:30 p.m. when they'll host the Columbia Inferno. Saturday's home game is :Fan Appreciation Night" and also "Dunk-A-Lawyer Night." Nikita "Nick" Mackey from the Law Offices of Mackey and Associates, PLLC; Daryl Hollnagel of Business Law Advisors; and District Court Judge Hugh B. Lewis will be alternating in the dunk tank. The dunk tank will be located in front of the 5th Street side of Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Dunk tank balls can be purchased for $2 each or three for $5 and all proceeds will benefit The Family Center.

Can't make the game? Watch it on B2 https://www.b2livetv.com/hockey/echl/charlotte/billnow.asp )

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2007


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