Ice cheX
03-05-2007, 03:55 PM
CHECKERS NOTEBOOK
Charlotte bracing for tough late-season run (http://www.charlotte.com/323/story/37278.html)
Schedule features 20 games in next 36 days
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
The Charlotte Checkers' final 20 games will be a grueling test.
It will begin today at Augusta and be squeezed into 36 days, including six games in the final eight days (March 31-April 7).
"You really have to look at it week-by-week, and not overall," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "These five days off have been great getting the guys rested and recharged, especially since we're short-handed."
Charlotte (29-20-2-1) is among six teams battling for five playoff spots in the ECHL South division. Nineteen games will be against South teams, and 12 will be at home.
Briefly
• The Hartford Wolf Pack, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers, re-assigned defenseman Ryan Constant on Tuesday and forward Zdenek Bahensky on Thursday.
• Defenseman Hannu Pikkarainen, a Rangers prospect, debuted in the victory at South Carolina on Sunday. Pikkarainen, 23, dislocated his right shoulder last September. He had 18 points in 47 games with HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish League last season.
• Defenseman Kenton Smith was the lone Checker to play in all 72 games last season. He's following suit this season, and is the only player to appear in the first 52 games.
• Winger Nathan Gillies has a six-game scoring streak, with four goals and four assists in that span.
• The ECHL fined South Carolina defenseman Nate Kiser an undisclosed amount for a gross misconduct penalty against Charlotte on Friday.
• Winger Adam Nightingale (shoulder) was placed on seven-day injured reserve, and winger Rick Kozak (concussion) was transferred to the 30-day IR.
• Hugh Jessiman had a goal in three straight games last week after being recalled by Hartford. ... Goalie Alex Westlund is 1-0 with a 0.72 goals-against average since being recalled to Hartford. He's stopped 42 of 43 shots.
• A postgame concert March 17 will feature Charity Case, a band that raises money for terminally ill and disabled children in the Charlotte area.
Charlotte bracing for tough late-season run (http://www.charlotte.com/323/story/37278.html)
Schedule features 20 games in next 36 days
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
The Charlotte Checkers' final 20 games will be a grueling test.
It will begin today at Augusta and be squeezed into 36 days, including six games in the final eight days (March 31-April 7).
"You really have to look at it week-by-week, and not overall," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "These five days off have been great getting the guys rested and recharged, especially since we're short-handed."
Charlotte (29-20-2-1) is among six teams battling for five playoff spots in the ECHL South division. Nineteen games will be against South teams, and 12 will be at home.
Briefly
• The Hartford Wolf Pack, American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers, re-assigned defenseman Ryan Constant on Tuesday and forward Zdenek Bahensky on Thursday.
• Defenseman Hannu Pikkarainen, a Rangers prospect, debuted in the victory at South Carolina on Sunday. Pikkarainen, 23, dislocated his right shoulder last September. He had 18 points in 47 games with HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish League last season.
• Defenseman Kenton Smith was the lone Checker to play in all 72 games last season. He's following suit this season, and is the only player to appear in the first 52 games.
• Winger Nathan Gillies has a six-game scoring streak, with four goals and four assists in that span.
• The ECHL fined South Carolina defenseman Nate Kiser an undisclosed amount for a gross misconduct penalty against Charlotte on Friday.
• Winger Adam Nightingale (shoulder) was placed on seven-day injured reserve, and winger Rick Kozak (concussion) was transferred to the 30-day IR.
• Hugh Jessiman had a goal in three straight games last week after being recalled by Hartford. ... Goalie Alex Westlund is 1-0 with a 0.72 goals-against average since being recalled to Hartford. He's stopped 42 of 43 shots.
• A postgame concert March 17 will feature Charity Case, a band that raises money for terminally ill and disabled children in the Charlotte area.