ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Pensacola trips up Checkers again 4-1 in Florida

Published on December 30, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Pensacola, Florida)- The Pensacola Ice Pilots continued their dominance over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night with a convincing 4-1 victory at the Pensacola Civic Center. The Ice Pilots got goals from Tyler Scott, Bryson Busniuk, Brian Collins and Nick Lindberg, while Kenton Smith scored the lone Charlotte goal.

Pensacola goalie Todd Ford made 25 saves to notch the victory while rarely being tested. Checkers goalie Chris Holt faced a hefty 46 shots and took the loss.

The loss was the Checkers second this week, and saw their record reach 0-2-1 on the current nine games in 13 day stretch. The defeat also dropped Charlotte's road record to the .500 mark for only the second time this season at 8-8-2. Charlotte is now 0-3 at the Pensacola Civic Center this season and 0-5 including their two losses last season here.

"Everything seems to go wrong for us when we play in this building," remarked Checkers Coach Derek Wilkinson. "Tonight we were our own worst enemy, and we didn't play physical until it was too late. I hope we don't have to make drastic changes but we will if we have to."

The Ice Pilots came out roaring in the first period, dominating the Checkers and taking a 2-0 lead. Scott cleaned up a rebound at 4:02 for a 1-0 Pensacola advantage. At 7:26 Busnuik crashed the net and finally poked the puck by Holt as the Ice Pilots went to the locker room after one period leading 2-0. Pensacola outshot the Checkers 19-9 in the period.

In the second period the Ice Pilots picked up right where they left off in period one. Collins ripped a shot by Holt on a power play, beating the Checkers goalie underneath his arm for a 3-0 lead at 10:36. Charlotte finally got on the board as Brandon Cullen made a pretty pass in the slot to Smith on a power play at 3:42 to pull the Checkers to within 3-1.

In the final period Pensacola got an insurance goal when Lindberg scored short-handed for the 4-1 final. A miscue between Holt and Smith drew Holt away from the net. The miscue gave Lindberg an open net opportunity and he capitalized.

The loss dropped the Checkers record to 14-12-3 for 31 points while Pensacola improved to 11-14-3 for 25 points. Charlotte will play Pensacola once again Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time in Florida. The Checkers next home game is Monday, January 2 at 7:05 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena when the Augusta Lynx will come to town.

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ECHL Stories from December 30, 2005


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