Ice cheX
02-20-2007, 01:02 PM
CHECKERS NOTEBOOK
Injuries to forwards put offense in reverse (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/hockey/echl/charlotte_checkers/16711088.htm)
Charlotte opens 3-game trip amid scoring slump
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
<!-- begin body-content -->It's hard to move forward without all your forwards.
The Charlotte Checkers are missing six regular wingers and centers -- five injured and one promoted -- as they begin a three-game trip at 7 p.m. today against the South Carolina Stingrays.
"Injuries are probably our biggest concern right now," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "We need a couple forwards. We're working at it, but we're offensively challenged right now."
The Checkers (25-18-1-2) had nearly two forward lines in street clothes during last weekend's two home losses -- Dusty Jamieson (neck), Blake Bellefeuille (charley horse), Nathan Gillies (knee), Adam Nightingale and Rick Kozak (concussions).
The Hartford Wolf Pack on Monday recalled winger Zdenek Bahensky.
Charlotte has nine goals in the past four games. There are several proven scorers who are in slumps. The bright spots: Hugh Jessiman has a goal in three straight, Daymen Rycroft has three goals in the past five; and defenseman Bryan Rodney has assists in seven of the past eight.
Struggling are Dan Murphy (no goals in seven games), Bruce Graham (one goal in six games), Mark Lee (one goal in seven) and Lee Falardeau (no goals in five).
Briefly
• The team raised more than $33,000 in donations at the "Pink in the Rink" home game Sunday, which benefited the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, Carolina Breast Friends and the American Cancer Society. The postgame auction of the special pink Checkers jerseys netted donations of $14,188.
• The fifth annual Checkers Charity Golf Tournament will be March 14 at Ballantyne Resort. Entry fee is $150, or $700 for a team of five. Details: 704-342-4423.
• Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith and former basketball stars Dell Curry and Jay Bilas will be guest speakers at the "Pucks-N-Prayers" game March 31.
• Four former Checkers are among the ECHL's top 14 scorers -- Ryan Lang (Augusta), Kimbi Daniels (Alaska), Mike Bayrack (Texas) and Mike Wirll (Cincinnati).
• Last week's three home games drew more than 25,000 fans, which vaulted Charlotte to third in ECHL attendance.
The Checkers average 6,060 fans, and the league average is 4,082.
• Charlotte will play six of its next seven on the road, where it is 11-9-3.
• Defenseman Kirk DeWaele skated at forward in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Columbia.
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Injuries to forwards put offense in reverse (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/hockey/echl/charlotte_checkers/16711088.htm)
Charlotte opens 3-game trip amid scoring slump
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
<!-- begin body-content -->It's hard to move forward without all your forwards.
The Charlotte Checkers are missing six regular wingers and centers -- five injured and one promoted -- as they begin a three-game trip at 7 p.m. today against the South Carolina Stingrays.
"Injuries are probably our biggest concern right now," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "We need a couple forwards. We're working at it, but we're offensively challenged right now."
The Checkers (25-18-1-2) had nearly two forward lines in street clothes during last weekend's two home losses -- Dusty Jamieson (neck), Blake Bellefeuille (charley horse), Nathan Gillies (knee), Adam Nightingale and Rick Kozak (concussions).
The Hartford Wolf Pack on Monday recalled winger Zdenek Bahensky.
Charlotte has nine goals in the past four games. There are several proven scorers who are in slumps. The bright spots: Hugh Jessiman has a goal in three straight, Daymen Rycroft has three goals in the past five; and defenseman Bryan Rodney has assists in seven of the past eight.
Struggling are Dan Murphy (no goals in seven games), Bruce Graham (one goal in six games), Mark Lee (one goal in seven) and Lee Falardeau (no goals in five).
Briefly
• The team raised more than $33,000 in donations at the "Pink in the Rink" home game Sunday, which benefited the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, Carolina Breast Friends and the American Cancer Society. The postgame auction of the special pink Checkers jerseys netted donations of $14,188.
• The fifth annual Checkers Charity Golf Tournament will be March 14 at Ballantyne Resort. Entry fee is $150, or $700 for a team of five. Details: 704-342-4423.
• Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith and former basketball stars Dell Curry and Jay Bilas will be guest speakers at the "Pucks-N-Prayers" game March 31.
• Four former Checkers are among the ECHL's top 14 scorers -- Ryan Lang (Augusta), Kimbi Daniels (Alaska), Mike Bayrack (Texas) and Mike Wirll (Cincinnati).
• Last week's three home games drew more than 25,000 fans, which vaulted Charlotte to third in ECHL attendance.
The Checkers average 6,060 fans, and the league average is 4,082.
• Charlotte will play six of its next seven on the road, where it is 11-9-3.
• Defenseman Kirk DeWaele skated at forward in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Columbia.
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