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Pride hold on to Defeat Checkers 3-2

March 26, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Florence Pride goaltender Sebastien Laplante made a season-high 48 saves, as the Pride defeated the Charlotte Checkers by a final score of 3-2 at Cricket Arena.

After nearly 20 scoreless minutes of hockey, Charlotte was able to get on the board first with just 11.6 seconds remaining in the opening period. Mike Wirll was able to skate free up the left-wing side and got a quick shot in on Laplante. Laplante made the save on the Wirll shot, but the rebound was poked home by Doug Christiansen, giving the Checkers a 1-0 lead through one.

The Pride took their first lead of the night, scoring a pair of goals just 41 seconds apart midway through the second period. At the 9:17 mark, Ryan Knox took a shot from the point that was stopped by David St. Germain, but the rebound shot free to the right-wing circle, where Luke Earl was stationed to bang it home to tie the game.

Florence then took the lead while it was shorthanded. Knox fed Shaun Sutter streaking up the left-wing side of the neutral zone. Sutter came across the Charlotte line and threw a puck in on St. Germain that somehow eluded the Checkers' netminder, to give the Pride a 2-1 lead. Charlotte tied the game just 2:03 into the final period, taking advantage of a power-play opportunity. Clay Plume fed a perfect pass for Dusty Jamieson stationed on the far post, and Jamieson one-timed the pass past Laplante for his 21st goal of the season.

The Pride went back ahead at the 9:13 mark. Jeff Szwez kept the puck alive with some nifty stick work, and then had his shot stopped by St. Germain. However, Kyle Kidney gathered in the rebound on the near post and put it home for his 18th of the season.

The Pride begin their final homestand of the season Saturday night, hosting the Augusta Lynx at 7:30 p.m. Florence finishes its home schedule with two games next weekend, taking on Gwinnett on Thursday at 7:00 and Greensboro on Friday at 7:30. Tickets are available at the Florence Civic Center Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (843) 679-9333 or www.ticketmaster.com. NOTES: Pride captain Wes Goldie and goaltender Sebastien Laplante have both been loaned to the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Both players will dress for Bridgeport in games against the Norfolk Admirals on Saturday and Sunday. This is Goldie's first AHL recall in four pro seasons, while Laplante played in two games with Norfolk last season.

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