AHL Charlotte Checkers

Royals Roll By Checkers 7-4

January 31, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Reading, PA – January 31, 2003: The Reading Royals scored four second-period goals and six consecutive goals en route to a 7-4 win over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night at the Sovereign Center. Colin Pepperall scored a pair of goals and former Checker Brandon Dietrich had a goal and two assists for the Royals. Kevin Caulfield and Konrad McKay each had a goal and an assist for Charlotte in the losing effort. Scott Meyer started for the Checkers but was pulled after Reading's fourth goal at 4:41 of the second period in favor of Jeff Salajko.

"I thought our defense was awful tonight in front of Meyer, just pathetic," remarked Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "Reading got three of its six goals from right in front of the net. That issue was one of our key points we addressed before the game, and you've got to protect that area of ice. We were not very good tonight but our goaltending was not the problem" In the first period Reading's Geoff Peters and Pepperall scored around a McKay tally to lead 2-1 after the first 20 minutes. In the second period the Royals reeled off four straight goals in the first 9:06 of the stanza on goals by Brian McCull! ough, Duilio Grande, Pepperall and Dietrich to lead 6-1 after 40 minutes.

In the third period after Steve Rymsha had given Reading a 7-1 lead, the Checkers mounted a mild comeback with three consecutive goals by Takahito Suzuki, Eddie Pershin and Caulfield before time ran out and the 7-4 final. Salajko took the loss in goal for the Checkers while Reading's Jeff Sanger earned his 13th win making 33 saves.

Charlotte saw its' three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 22-20-2 for 46 points while the Royals won their second straight game and improved to 24-21-2 for 50 points. The Checkers will continue their weekend series against the Royals Saturday night with face-off time at 7:05 p.m. Charlotte returns home for a third straight game against the Royals Tuesday night at Cricket Arena with the face-off set for 7:05 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2003


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