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Lynx Open Playoffs Tonight In Charlotte

April 9, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Augusta Lynx News Release


Augusta, GA - The Augusta Lynx and Charlotte Checkers will do battle in a best-of-three mini series to open the ECHL playoffs tonight in Charlotte, NC at 7 pm.

After a season spent doing battle in the league's toughest division, Augusta has returned to the post-season for the second consecutive year by recording a team record 39 wins and tying the team mark for points in a year with 82. The Lynx also established new team highs in power play goals (78) and shorthanded goals (20) along the way.

Team captain Ryan Lang led the way for the team this year, setting personal highs in every offensive category (25-48-73) and earning a call up to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League towards season's end. Louis Goulet also posted another solid offensive year for the Lynx with 70 points and tying with Mike Erickson for the club lead in goals with 26.

"This is probably one of the most, if not the most, talented team I've ever coached," said Lynx head coach and director of hockey operations Bob Ferguson. "The challenge has been getting them all on the ice at once."

Indeed Augusta has had to deal with over 300 man-games lost between injuries and recalls this year to the AHL and NHL. Stalwart netminder Dave McKee has dressed for both the Anaheim Ducks and Portland Pirates this year, winning AHL Player of the Week honors for the latter just last week after posting a 3-0-0 record, 1.00 GAA and .963 save percentage while stopping 17 shots for his first AHL shutout against Manchester. Ryan Lang, Jamie Johnson, Shane Hynes, J.B. Bittner, Garett Bembridge, and Nathan Saunders have all spent time in the AHL this year on recall as well.

Not to say the Lynx haven't had bright spots this year, as there have been many. Mike Erickson finished second in rookie goal scoring and seventh in rookie points league wide with 48. McKee set a new Lynx team mark for wins in a season by a goaltender with 29, surpassing the old mark of 27 by Judd Lambert in 1999-00. And on March 23, Erickson scored the 2,000th goal in Lynx history in a 5-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers.

Charlotte and Augusta have played each other close all season, with the Lynx posting a 5-4-1 record against the Checkers this season. Lang leads the Lynx in scoring with five goals and 14 points in eight games against Charlotte this year, while Goulet scored six of his regular season markers against the Checkers. Nathan Gillies posted 11 points against Augusta this year with eight assists to lead his team, and Chris Holt went 5-3-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .909 save percentage against the Lynx.

"We play very similar styles," said Ferguson. "Both teams have speed and like to use it. So it's no surprise the season series turned out as close as it did."

The winner of this mini series will become the South Division's fourth seed and face regular season division champions the Florida Everblades starting Friday and Saturday at Germain Arena.

Game Two is slated for Tuesday night at the James Brown Arena, with puck drop coming at 7:35 pm. Game Three, if necessary, will shift the scene back to Charlotte for the decisive tilt. Tickets for the game in Augusta may be purchased through the Lynx office at (706) 724-4ICE, via all TicketMaster locations, and on line at www.TicketMaster.com. Seats are $10 regardless of level for the playoffs.

Tickets for the games in Charlotte are available on a walk-up basis ONLY! Fans traveling to the game must purchase seats upon arrival to the arena.

Radio coverage for all Lynx playoff action will begin one half-hour before game time on your Home for Lynx Hockey, NEWSTALKSPORTS 1630. Fans may also listen on line or view the game through links to the broadcasts on www.augustalynx.com or www.echl.com's scoreboard page.

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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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