Checkers vs. Ice Pilots: 01/12/07

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CHECKERS PRESS RELEASE (http://www.gocheckers.com/fullstory.php?id=561)

CHECKERS EARN FOURTH-STRAIGHT WIN AT HOME

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers defeated the Pensacola Ice Pilots at home 3-2 Friday night in front of 6,927 fans at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The Checkers win against the Ice Pilots was the fourth-straight win at home. Lee Falardeau was credited with the Checkers last goal to win the game with a score of 3-2.

Daymen Rycroft struck first for the Checkers with an even-strength goal at 7:55 in the first period giving him his eleventh goal of the season. Rycroft’s goal was assisted by both Nathan Gillies and Blake Bellefeuille giving the Checkers the early lead. Pensacola returned score at 16:29 in the period with an unassisted goal from Mike Wirl which tied the game at one going into the first intermission.

The Checkers scored first in the second period on the power play with a goal from Mike Ouellette who had help from Jan Vodrazka and Kenny Smith at 2:20. The Checkers increased their lead at 3-1 with Falardeau’s goal which was assisted by both Adam Nightingale and Bruce Graham. Pensacola’s John Hecimovic scored for the Ice Pilots on a pass from David Wrigley putting Pensacola within one.

The Checkers continued to hold the lead at 3-2 through the third period to win the game.

Chris Holt took the win for the Checkers with 23 saves for the evening, and Evan Lindsay took the loss for the Ice Pilots after taking over for Mike Mole.

The Checkers next home game is against the South Carolina Stingrays on January 19 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 at www.gocheckers.com (http://www.gocheckers.com).


BOX SCORE (http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1317)

Post-Game Video (http://www.prosportsmedia.com/admin/../checkers/mm/video/clip/FriJan-12-07.wmv)

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CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/hockey/echl/charlotte_checkers/16451437.htm)

CHARLOTTE POUNDS OUT NARROW WIN

Falardeau, Checkers adjust to choppy ice

CLIFF MEHRTENS (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers looked at the slushy ice Friday and knew what was in store.

"As the game went on, it was like the guys were trying to skate in sand," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "Pucks were bouncing all over."

The not-so-flashy 3-2 ECHL victory against the Pensacola Ice Pilots was Charlotte's second straight, and fourth consecutive at home.

Lee Falardeau scored the winner in the crease, poking in a sweet wrap-around pass by Adam Nightingale five minutes into the second period. Three minutes earlier, Mike Ouellette swatted in a puck out of midair for a 2-1 lead.

From there, the Checkers pounded opponents, kept the area in front of goalie Chris Holt (23 saves) clear and didn't panic.

"I think it really started in Florida," Falardeau said, referring to the just-completed 0-1-1-1 trip. "They were all close, and we lost control a couple times near the end of the third period."

Charlotte couldn't take Pensacola lightly, despite the Ice Pilots having the most losses (23), and having allowed the most goals (153).

"We came home and showed some confidence," Wilkinson said. "We're rolling at home now for the first time in a while."

Charlotte will play at Columbia at 7 p.m. today, the halfway point of the 72-game season.

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PENSACOLA ICE PILOTS PRESS RELEASE (http://www.icepilots.com/index.php?module=newser&func=display&topicnum=1&nid=325)

ICE PILOTS PLAY INSPIRED BUT LOSE 3-2 TO CHECKERS

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Pensacola Ice Pilots played an inspired road game in Charlotte on Friday night but fell a goal short in a 3-2 loss to the Checkers.

The Ice Pilots fought hard all night and had great chances to score but just couldn’t get it past Chris Holt. Michael Mole was solid for Pensacola and left the game in the third period due to an injury and Evan Lindsay took over for the final seven minutes.

In the opening period the Charlotte Checkers drew first blood on an Ice Pilots giveaway inside their own zone. However, the Ice Pilots tied it up when Mike Wirll checked the man off the puck and then took another sharp angle shot and beat Chris Holt. Wirll’s third goal against Charlotte and third against Holt.

The Charlotte Checkers raced out to an early 3-1 lead in the second period with two goals 3:18 apart. However, after that the Ice Pilots dominated play and scored when John Hecimovic tallied from David Wrigley and it was 3-2. Ice Pilots had a goal called back when referee Jason Rollins blue his whistle early, when it appeared the puck was loose and free in the goal crease.

Rob Rankin left the game midway through the second period when he crashed into the boards after being hooked by a Checkers defenseman. Just a two minute penalty was called and Rankin did not return for the remainder of the game.

Ice Pilots continue their road trip tomorrow (Saturday) night when they take on the Augusta Lynx at the James Brown Arena. Ice Pilots Countdown to Face-off starts the coverage at 6:15 pm central, followed by the action at 6:30 pm with Denis J. Puska.

Notes:
Ice Pilots without the services of Dwayne Hay for a second straight game due to a bad case of the flu.

Forward Dan Sullivan is on the three-day IR and forward Travis Lisabeth is on the seven day Injured Reserve.

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PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL (http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070113/SPORTS/701130344/1028/SPORTS03)

CHECKERS' TWO QUICK GOALS ENOUGH TO SINK ICE PILOTS, 3-2

From Staff Reports

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers scored two goals in a three-minute span during the second period Friday night and held on for a 3-2 victory against the visiting Pensacola Ice Pilots.

Pensacola has won just once in its past nine road games.

The Ice Pilots' Mike Wirll scored his 23rd goal of the season to tie the game, 1-1, late in the first period, but Charlotte's two-goal outburst was enough.

John Hecimovic scored four and a half minutes later for Pensacola (9-24-1-1, 20 points), but Charlotte's Chris Holt defended all six Ice Pilots shots during the third period to preserve the win.

The Ice Pilots, who face the Lynx in Augusta, Ga., tonight, remain in last place overall in the ECHL. They are 19 points from the fifth and final playoff spot in the South Division.