ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Undefeated at home in 2005

Published on January 17, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers (22-13-2; 46 PTS; 1ST East Div) continued their six game home-stand Wednesday night against the Augusta Lynx, then carried their momentum into Friday and Saturday nights' games against the Greenville Grrrowl and the Texas Wildcatters. The Checkers beat all three teams, giving them a five game winning streak and placing them first above the Pee Dee Pride in the Eastern Conference. The Checkers hope to remain undefeated at home in 2005 as they battle the Johnstown Chiefs this Thursday at Cricket Arena. The Checkers hit the road this weekend to face the Greenville Grrrowl Friday night and the Columbia Inferno on Saturday.

LAST WEEK

Wednesday, January 12 vs. Augusta, W 4-3

Charlotte and Augusta have met four times already this season, and the Checkers needed a spark from their power play, which had been ranked 19th in the league coming into the game. The Checkers came away with three power play goals to nab the victory, 4-3, maintaining their place atop the East Division. Checkers forward Brian Escobedo sent a one-timer from center Ryan Cuthbert into the back of the Augusta Lynx net. In the second period, Cuthbert took a breakaway feed from Eddie Pershin for the second goal of the game. Pershin had been sorely missed in the Checkers lineup after serving a suspension, but came out firing, finishing the game with two assists. Augusta tried their best to get back into the game, tying it 2-2. Rory Rawlyk gave the Checkers the lead again when he fired a slap shot home from the blue line, and Lee Falardeau closed the book with a lamp-lighter off an assist from Pershin and Mike Harder.

Friday, January 14 vs. Greenville, W 5-2

The Checkers victory came as a result from the production of Charlotte's leading scorers, namely forwards Dusty Jamieson, Lee Falardeau, and Juris Stals. Jamieson got the crowd on its feet early in the first period with his 11th goal of the season. Kenton Smith scored early in the second period, with assists from Jamieson and Brian Escobedo. Falardeau added to his team's lead with a late second period goal; his 13th of the season. Stals, who assisted on Jamieson's goal, added a goal in the third. Eddie Pershin made the score 5-2 with his cross-ice, empty net shorty with four seconds remaining in the third period.

Saturday, January 15 vs. Texas, W 3-1

The Checkers tamed the Wildcatters in their fourth meeting this season. In the first period, Texas got on the board early after converting on a power play. Charlotte evened the score at 13:19 in the first period with a shot by center Eddie Pershin. Pershin also had two assists during the game. With the game tied at one apiece, Checker's forward Dusty Jamieson nailed a breakaway goal to put Charlotte up 2-1 at 10:05 into the second period. Rory Rawlyk assisted, making it his 11th of the season, and then followed the assist with a goal from the blue line. Rawlyk has tallied six points in his last six games.

THIS WEEK

Thursday, January 20 vs. Johnstown, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 21 at Greenville, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, January 22 at Columbia, 7:30 p.m.

CHECKERS NEWS

· The Checkers are currently first in the East Division with 46 points. They are second in the American Conference, and tied for fourth in the league overall.

· Dusty Jamieson has five points in the last two games, including the game winner against Texas.

· With seven points in the last three games, Eddie Pershin became the team points leader on the season (13g-20a). Mike Wirll leads the Checkers in scoring over the past ten games with 5 goals and six assists for 11 points.

· Rookie Lee Falardeau had the game-winning goal in two of the last three contests last week.

· Rory Rawlyk is among the top 14 leading defenseman scorers in the league with seven goals and 11 assists.

· Newcomer Brian Escobedo has scored a point in each of his last three games (1g-2a).

· The Checkers jumped 7 places, bettering their overall power play ranking from 20th to 13th in one week.

CHECKERS LEADERS

Goals: Lee Falardeau (13), Eddie Pershin (13)

Assists: Mike Harder (22)

Points: Eddie Pershin (33)

Plus/Minus: Rory Rawlyk (+8)

PIM: Steve MacIntyre (93)

Wins: Kelly Guard (11), Alex Westland (11)

GAA: Kelly Guard (2.97), Alex Westland (2.97)

Save Pct.: Alex Westlund (.904)




ECHL Stories from January 17, 2005


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.

OurSports Central