Veteran Goalie Returns To Familiar Playoff Scenario
April 17, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Goalie Alex Westlund returned today to Charlotte and a familiar setting - the Checkers facing elimination, at home, in Game 3 of a five-game series. But the last time the Checkers faced this scenario, the team rebounded to take the series and eventually advance to the American Conference Finals.
During the 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Checkers found themselves down 2-0 to the Columbia Inferno in the first round. Having dropped the first two on the road, the Checkers rallied behind Westlund to defeat Columbia in three-consecutive games including an overtime win in Game 5.
Westlund and the Checkers advanced to take the best-of-five series with Gwinnett in four games and make an appearance in the Conference Finals for the first time since the team won the championship in 1996.
During the playoffs, Westlund went 8-7 with a 2.43 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. The 5-foot-9-inch, 185-pound native of Flemington Village, N.J. also recorded a shutout in Game 4 to close the Gwinnett series.
The Checkers were eventually edged out by the Florida Everblades in Game 6 of the American Conference Finals. The Everblades went on to capture the 2005 Kelly Cup.
The Charlotte Checkers host the Florida Everblades tonight at 7:00 pm at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The Everblades lead the best-of-five-game series 2-0, putting the Checkers in a must-win situation. If Game Four is necessary, the Checkers will host the Everblades at 7:00 pm Thursday at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Checkers at 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.
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