Pre-Season: Checkers vs. South Carolina - 10/14/06

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From gocheckers.com:

CHECKERS SHUTOUT STINGRAYS IN PRESEASON FINALE

INDIAN TRAIL, NC - The Charlotte Checkers defeated the South Carolina Stingrays 7-0 Saturday at Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C in the final preseason game. Daymen Rycroft led the Checkers with two goals and one assist. The Checkers goaltenders, Alex Westlund and Jorge Alves combined for the shutout blocking 22 and 2 shots on goal, respectively.

The Checkers got the scoring started at 2:00 in the first period Bruce Graham scored an even-strength goal to take the lead 1-0. Later, at 10:00 in the first period the Checkers fought off a 5-3 penalty kill with help from goaltender Westlund. The Checkers increased their lead at 11:39 in the first period by an Adam Leach goal which was assisted by Kirk DeWaele.

The second period began with a game misconduct by Rick Kozak requiring him to leave the game at 7:34 into the period. The Checkers increased their lead to 3-0 with a power play goal from Kenton Smith, assisted by Phil Youngclaus at 13:33 in the period. Shortly after the third goal, Rycroft scored an even strength goal with assistance from Dusty Jamieson at 15:06 in the second period. Three minutes later, with 1.8 seconds left in the period Blake Bellefeuille scored on the power play with help from Rycroft. Bellefeuille’s goal put the Checkers lead at 5-0.

The third period began with Alves in goal for the Checkers, taking over after Westlund. At 3:11 in the period Jamieson scored an even-strength goal which was assisted by Mike Ouellette taking the lead to 6-0. The Checkers scored one final goal at 12:19 in the third period. Rycroft scored an unassisted even-strength goal to make the final score 7-0.

The Checkers open the regular season Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21 against the Wheeling Nailers at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. For ticket information call the Checkers at 704-342-4-ICE or purchase and print your tickets by clicking here (http://ev10.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=CCSINGLE&linkID=bobcats&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=).

BOX SCORE (http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1815)

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Stingrays Press Release:

CHECKERS SHUTOUT STINGRAYS IN PRESEASON FINALE

INDIAN TRAIL, NC - The Charlotte Checkers received stellar goaltending from Alex Westlund and Jorge Alves, while Daymen Rycroft led the way by scoring twice in a penalty-filled game to defeat the South Carolina Stingrays 7-0 in the final preseason game for both teams.

South Carolina gave seven players the day off to prepare for the regular season. Players not in the Stingrays line-up were captain Cail MacLean, alternate captains Matt Reid and Nate Kiser along with veteran defenseman Marc Busenburg, right wing Cam McCaffrey, left wing Jarrett Konkle and defenseman Tim Judy.

Charlotte opened the score at the Extreme Ice Center two minutes into the first period on a goal by Bruce Graham, who beat goaltender Daren Machesney.

The Checkers extended their lead to 2-0, as Andrew Leach tallied a power play goal from the slot at 11:39.

“We’ll be ready for the regular season,” South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. “We sat out a lot of regulars and had to play two games in less than 20 hours. Now it’s time to make some decisions on our opening night roster.”

Charlotte netted three goals in the second period including two more with the man advantage. Kenton Smith, Rycroft and Blake Bellefeuille made it 5-0 for the Checkers through 40 minutes of action.

One of South Carolina’s best chances came in the second period off the stick of Bryson Busniuk, who was robbed by the pad of Westlund.

In the third, Charlotte goaltender Alves took over in net for Westlund, who exited with a perfect 22 saves. Alves would make two saves in relief.

The Checkers continued to bring offense as Dusty Jamieson and Rycroft tallied goals to complete the scoring.

South Carolina went 0-for-14 on the power play, while Charlotte converted on 4-of-17 opportunities with the man advantage. The Checkers outshot the Stingrays 39-24.

Additional notes: The Stingrays and Checkers both finished the preseason with identical 1-1 records…Charlotte training camp players that didn’t suit up were forward Noah Katz, defensemen Dan Murphy, Kenny Smith and Jan Vodrazka and goaltender Chris Holt.

South Carolina opens its 14th season as a member of the ECHL on the road against the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday. The pregame show begins at 7:15 p.m. on Real 1340. Watch all games live on the web telecast for $6 each at www.stingrayshockey.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

The Stingrays regular season home opener is at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday against the Columbia Inferno at the North Charleston Coliseum.

Season ticket packages are available by calling 744-2248 and talking to a ticket sales manager. For more information, visit www.stingrayshockey.com. Stingrays Hockey – A Whole Lot Cooler!

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Charlotte Observer:

CHECKERS GET SHUTOUT IN LAST EXHIBITION
Observer News Services

INDIAN TRAIL, NC - Daymen Rycroft had two goals and an assist to help the Charlotte Checkers close their ECHL exhibition schedule with a 7-0 victory against South Carolina at Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail.

Alex Westlund and Jorge Alves combined for the shutout.

Charlotte will open the regular season at 7:30 Friday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena against Wheeling. The same teams will play again Saturday in uptown Charlotte.

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Charleston Post & Courier:

CHARLOTTE RIPS RAYS IN PRESEASON FINALE
by Mike Kelly

CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Checkers received stellar goaltending from Alex Westlund and Jorge Alves plus two goals from Daymen Rycroft in a penalty-filled game to defeat the Stingrays 7-0 in the final preseason game for both teams.

South Carolina (1-1) gave six players the day off to prepare for the regular season. Players not in the lineup were captain Cail MacLean, alternate captains Matt Reid and Nate Kiser along with veteran defenseman Marc Busenburg, right wing Cam McCaffrey and defenseman Tim Judy.

Charlotte (1-1) opened the scoring at the Extreme Ice Center two minutes in on a goal by Bruce Graham, who beat goaltender Daren Machesney. The Checkers made it 2-0 at 11:39 of the first when Andrew Leach scored on a power play.

"We'll be ready for the regular season," Stingrays head coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. "We sat out a lot of regulars and had to play two games in less than 20 hours. Now it's time to make some decisions on our opening-night roster."

The Stingrays beat visiting Columbia 8-3 on Friday night.

Charlotte scored three goals in the second period, two of them with a man advantage. Kenton Smith, Rycroft and Blake Bellefeuille made it 5-0 for the Checkers entering the third period.

South Carolina's best chance in the second period came off the stick of Bryson Busniuk, who was robbed off the pad of Westlund.

In the third, Alves took over in net for Westlund, who exited with 22 saves. Alves made two saves.

The Checkers continued to bring offense, as Dusty Jamieson and Rycroft scoredd to make it 7-0.

South Carolina went 0-for-14 on the power play, while Charlotte converted on 4 of 17 opportunities. The Checkers outshot the Stingrays 39-24.

The Stingrays' ECHL opener is next Friday night at the Gwinnett Gladiators.