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ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Lee, Bellefeuille and Westlund propel Checkers to 6-3 win at Columbia

March 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Columbia, South Carolina - Friday, March 16) The Charlotte Checkers received a hat trick and a five-point performance from Mark Lee, and a five-assist effort from Blake Bellefeuille in a 6-3 triumph over the Columbia Inferno Friday night at the Carolina Coliseum. Alex Westlund, making his first start for Charlotte since February 2, was superb with 41 saves to raise his record to 12-5-1-0 as Charlotte won its second straight.

The victory was the Checkers third straight at Columbia (24-27-4-5) this season without a defeat, while Charlotte improved its record to 5-1-0 overall versus the Inferno in the nine-game season series. The win also put the Checkers ten games over .500 at 33-23-1-2.

Coupled with losses by Augusta and South Carolina Friday night, the Checkers win put them back into a tie for the fifth and final playoff spot in the ECHL South with the Lynx. Charlotte trails the fourth place Stingrays by two points with three games in hand, while the Checkers hold four games in hand on Augusta.

"We didn't really play that well tonight but got some lucky bounces and were able to pull out the win," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "I don't know why we didn't approach this game with more intensity. Alex (Westlund) played very well, especially in the first period and really kept us in there. With Alex you know you're never going to see too many surprises. With him you pretty much know you're going to get a solid performance every night."

The Inferno took the lead on a power play at 10 minutes, 29 seconds of the first period, as Brendan Cook fired a shot in from between the circles for a 1-0 Columbia advantage. But late in the frame Dan Murphy got a good bounce near the Inferno goal, and was able to fire home his 16th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

In the second period Charlotte scored twice to lead 3-1 after 40 minutes. Lee's first of his three goals on the night from the top of the right circle on a power play gave the Checkers a 2-1 advantage at 5:11. Late in the second Jeff Lang's shot from the point, also on a power play, dribbled by Inferno goalie Todd Ford for a two-goal cushion for Charlotte.

Columbia fought back with a pair of power-play goals in the third period to tie the game at 3-3. But just 52 seconds after Columbia's tying goal, the Checkers took the lead again on Lee's second of the game for a 4-3 Charlotte advantage. At 12:01 Charlotte struck again as Bruce Graham put a no-look pass on the stick of a wide open Daymen Rycroft who connected for a 5-3 Checkers lead. Lee capped off his hat trick with 1:30 left in the game for the 6-3 final.

CHECKERS FRIDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Lee Falardeau, and Adam Nightingale.

ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Corey Potter, Chris Holt, and Zdenek Bahensky

ON LOAN TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Kenny Smith

REASSIGNED FROM CHARLOTTE TO (AHL) HARTFORD BY (NHL) NEW YORK: Hugh Jessiman

FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1654

NEXT GAME: The Checkers are home tomorrow, Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena against the Florida Everblades.

Upcoming Promotions: Saturday, March 17 - Florida @ Checkers @ 7:30 p.m.

Hockey 101 - Charlotte Checkers will be offering a Hockey 101 session with head coach Derek Wilkinson and players. Hockey 101 will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 17. Each participant will join the staff and players for a private player demonstration, interactive classroom lecture of hockey and lunch will be provided during the event. The event will be held at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the cost is $40 per person. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a ticket for the Checkers game beginning at 7:30 p.m. that night. Season ticket holders who participate in Hockey 101 will receive a free buddy pass to utilize at that game night or at a future game. For more information about this event contact Danielle Adkins at 704-444-1876 or dadkins@gocheckers.com.

Time Warner Cable Customer Appreciation Night - TWC customers that show their bill or bill insert at the box office receive two-for-one Attack Zone Seats). Checkers logo caps for the first 2,000 fans courtesy of RoadRunner High Speed Online Service. St. Patrick's Day Specialty Jerseys presented by Connolly's on 5th. On-line jersey auction to follow the game.

Charity Case Post Game Concert The Checkers are proud to welcome back Charity Case for a post game concert. Charity Case will play following the Checkers game

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

Tickets for all Checkers home games can be purchased on the official team web site at www.gocheckers.com, on the telephone by using a credit card and calling 1-800-495-2295, or by visiting the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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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.

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