babs<3checkers
03-05-2007, 03:24 PM
CHECKERS PRESS RELEASE
CHECKERS SUFFER ONE-GOAL LOSS TO THE LYNX AT AUGUSTA 2-1
The last time the Checkers departed James Brown Arena in Augusta two weeks ago, they left with a one-goal loss. Saturday night the same thing happened. After leading by one goal in the first period, the Lynx scored the game's last two goals for a 2-1 victory.
Shane Hynes' 16th goal of the season two minutes into the second period proved to be the game-winning goal. Louis Goulet added the other Lynx goal, while Daymen Rycroft had the lone Checkers lamp-lighter. Augusta goalie, David McKee, was excellent throughout the contest with 31 saves. Charlotte goalie, Chris Holt, also played well but was the hard-luck loser making 29 saves.
The win moved Augusta (32-23-1-2 for 67 points) six points ahead of Charlotte in the battle for fourth place in the ECHL's Southern Division. The Checkers (29-21-1-2 for 61 points) still have five games in-hand on the Lynx as they fell to 3-4 against Augusta in the ten-game season series. The loss also dropped Charlotte into a tie for fifth place in the division with South Carolina, who defeated Pensacola Saturday night 5-4. The Checkers still retain two games in-hand on the Stingrays. The top five teams in the division qualify for post-season play.
"We certainly deserved a better fate tonight," said Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We continue to remain offensively challenged. I was very pleased with our effort tonight outside of two defensive breakdowns that led to both of their goals. We didn't get any bounces tonight and McKee played great for them. We've played well in this recent stretch on the road, now we have put a nice streak together at home."
The Checkers grabbed a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game, as Rycroft back-handed a rebound by McKee. Bruce Graham and Nathan Gillies assisted.
The Lynx tied the game late in the first as Ryan Constant threw a tough pass in his own zone over to defensive mate, Jan Vodrazka. The Checkers captain had the puck stripped away by Hynes, who passed over to an open Goulet right in front of Holt for the Lynx' tying goal.
The only goal of the second period belonged to Augusta, as Hynes scored on a goal-mouth scramble to give the Lynx a 2-1 advantage at 1 minute, 40 seconds of the frame. The Checkers continued to dominate, outshooting the Lynx 13-9 in the period.
In the final period Charlotte continued to get chances, but got no bounces as McKee continued to sparkle. Wilkinson pulled Holt for a sixth attacker in the game's final minute, but Augusta held on for the 2-1 final.
CHECKERS SATURDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Rick Kozak, Lee Falardeau, Adam Nightingale and John Donnelly
ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Alex Westlund and Corey Potter
REASSIGNED FROM CHARLOTTE TO (AHL) HARTFORD BY (NHL) NEW YORK: Hugh Jessiman
ON LOAN FROM CHARLOTTE TO (AHL) PROVIDENCE: Ryan Glenn
FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1585
CHECKERS SUFFER ONE-GOAL LOSS TO THE LYNX AT AUGUSTA 2-1
The last time the Checkers departed James Brown Arena in Augusta two weeks ago, they left with a one-goal loss. Saturday night the same thing happened. After leading by one goal in the first period, the Lynx scored the game's last two goals for a 2-1 victory.
Shane Hynes' 16th goal of the season two minutes into the second period proved to be the game-winning goal. Louis Goulet added the other Lynx goal, while Daymen Rycroft had the lone Checkers lamp-lighter. Augusta goalie, David McKee, was excellent throughout the contest with 31 saves. Charlotte goalie, Chris Holt, also played well but was the hard-luck loser making 29 saves.
The win moved Augusta (32-23-1-2 for 67 points) six points ahead of Charlotte in the battle for fourth place in the ECHL's Southern Division. The Checkers (29-21-1-2 for 61 points) still have five games in-hand on the Lynx as they fell to 3-4 against Augusta in the ten-game season series. The loss also dropped Charlotte into a tie for fifth place in the division with South Carolina, who defeated Pensacola Saturday night 5-4. The Checkers still retain two games in-hand on the Stingrays. The top five teams in the division qualify for post-season play.
"We certainly deserved a better fate tonight," said Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We continue to remain offensively challenged. I was very pleased with our effort tonight outside of two defensive breakdowns that led to both of their goals. We didn't get any bounces tonight and McKee played great for them. We've played well in this recent stretch on the road, now we have put a nice streak together at home."
The Checkers grabbed a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game, as Rycroft back-handed a rebound by McKee. Bruce Graham and Nathan Gillies assisted.
The Lynx tied the game late in the first as Ryan Constant threw a tough pass in his own zone over to defensive mate, Jan Vodrazka. The Checkers captain had the puck stripped away by Hynes, who passed over to an open Goulet right in front of Holt for the Lynx' tying goal.
The only goal of the second period belonged to Augusta, as Hynes scored on a goal-mouth scramble to give the Lynx a 2-1 advantage at 1 minute, 40 seconds of the frame. The Checkers continued to dominate, outshooting the Lynx 13-9 in the period.
In the final period Charlotte continued to get chances, but got no bounces as McKee continued to sparkle. Wilkinson pulled Holt for a sixth attacker in the game's final minute, but Augusta held on for the 2-1 final.
CHECKERS SATURDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Rick Kozak, Lee Falardeau, Adam Nightingale and John Donnelly
ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Alex Westlund and Corey Potter
REASSIGNED FROM CHARLOTTE TO (AHL) HARTFORD BY (NHL) NEW YORK: Hugh Jessiman
ON LOAN FROM CHARLOTTE TO (AHL) PROVIDENCE: Ryan Glenn
FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1585