Pride knocks off Checkers 3-1 Friday night in Florence
Published on March 19, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Florence, South Carolina) Greg Johnson scored a pair of goals and goalie Nick Boucher made 20 saves in leading the Pee Dee Pride to a 3-1 victory over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night in Florence, South Carolina. Johnson's goal at 13:10 of the second period proved to be the game winner, extending the Checkers losing streak to two games and their winless streak to three games at 0-2-1. Juris Stals scored the lone Checkers goal, and Alex Westlund took the loss in net with 26 saves. "We didn't play badly tonight but I can't say anyone on our team had a great game," remarked Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson. "The last few games we haven't had that âwin at all cost' attitude, and with Ryan Cuthbert out we're missing a player who gives us a spark and energy."
The Pride scored just 2:48 into the first period as Checkers defenseman Brian Escobedo failed to clear the puck out of his own zone. Pride defenseman Jan Vodraska held the puck in at the left point and drilled a shot that Westlund got a piece of but couldn't prevent from trickling into the net. Charlotte tied the game at 1-1 at 12:49 of the first period as Stals combined with Eddie Pershin on a perfectly executed give-and-go. Stals deposited Pershin's pass into the back of the Pee Dee net for his ninth goal of the season.
The Pride took the lead again in the second period at 13:10 as Johnson picked up a loose puck just inside the right-wing circle and blasted his 20th goal of the season by Westlund. Charlotte had several chances to tie the score in the third period. The best opportunities came as Kenton Smith hit the post with a shot from the right point, and Dusty Jamieson was stopped from point blank range by Boucher from 20 feet out.
In the final minute of regulation, Wilkinson pulled Westlund for an extra attacker. After scoring an empty-net goal that was waived off on an offside call, Johnson scored into the empty net with 16 seconds left for the 3-1 final.
The Checkers record fell to 36-22-5 for 77 points while the Pride's record improved to 29-30-3 for 61 points. Charlotte finished the eight-game season series with Pee Dee going 4-2-2. Charlotte will continue its four-game week Saturday night at Cricket Arena when it will host the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:00 p.m. The Checkers are also at home Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. to meet the Florida Everblades.
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