Checkers vs Lynx: 3/6/07

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Click below for Derek Wilkinson's post-game news conference from Tuesday, March 6 against the Augusta Lynx.

Checkers Post-Game Video - Tuesday, March 6 (http://www.prosportsmedia.com/admin/../checkers/mm/video/clip/3-6-2007.wmv)

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CHECKERS PRESS RELEASE

03/07/07
CHECKERS WIN SECOND STRAIGHT AT HOME WITH 2-0 SHUTOUT OVER AUGUSTA

The Charlotte Checkers seem to play their best hockey when they don't dress a full squad. That proved to be the case again Tuesday night. Starting the game with only 14 forwards and defensemen and losing Jan Vodrazka for the second period to an injury, the Checkers gutted out a 2-0 victory at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

The triumph moved the Checkers (31-21-1-2) to within two points of fourth-place Augusta in the ECHL South, with Charlotte holding four games in hand on the Lynx. The Checkers also increased their hold on fifth place, the final playoff spot in the division, to four points over South Carolina who lost to Columbia Tuesday night 6-4. The win also gave Charlotte a 2-0 mark on its on its current five-game homestand.

Dan Murphy and Nathan Gillies scored the Checkers goals, and goalie Chris Holt earned his first shutout of the season with 27 saves. Lynx goalie David McKee took the loss making 27 saves.

"It's the first shutout of my professional career," said Holt. "We really stayed within our system tonight and played 60 minutes of hockey." Holt also did something quite unorthodox for goalies before the game. "I wore a brand new set of goalie pads fresh out of the box," remarked Holt. "The pads never saw a shot until warmups. That's not at all proper protocol but it didn't hurt me."

The Checkers and the Lynx (32-24-1-2) skated to a scoreless first period, with each team getting two power-play opportunities. Augusta outshot Charlotte 15-11 in the period.

The Checkers drew first blood at 2 minutes, 37 seconds of the second period as Murphy knocked home a Gillies rebound for a 1-0 advantage. Five minutes later Gillies rammed home his own rebound by McKee and Charlotte increased its lead to 2-0. The Checkers finished the second period with a ten to eight shot advantage.

In the final period the Charlotte defense tightened considerable, holding Augusta to only five shots. The Checkers triumph squared the season-series between the two teams at 4-4.

The Checkers five-game homestand continues Thursday at Bobcats Arena when Charlotte takes on the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:00 p.m. in another crucial South Division match.

This Sunday, March 11 the Checkers will host the Gwinnett Gladiators at Bobcats Arena at 4:00 p.m. as Charlotte's five-game homestand continues. This Sunday's game will be the Checkers annual "Salute to Heroes Game." Join the Checkers and the CFD, MEDIC 911, MCSO and CMPD in this exciting salute. The game will feature: special opening ceremonies, Hero's Game and Jersey Auction and Post-Game Skate with Hero's and Checkers players. Team Posters for the first 2,000 fans courtesy of Colonial Grand at Beverly Crest and North Carolina Zoo. Family Four Packs w/ 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas for $49. Post-Game Autograph Session & Post-Game Skate.

CHECKERS TUESDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Rick Kozak, Lee Falardeau, Adam Nightingale.

ON RECALL TO (AHL) HARTFORD: Alex Westlund, Corey Potter, Bruce Graham and Hannu Pikkarainen.

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=1604

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CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

CHECKERS 2, LYNX 0

Holt makes 27 saves to secure 1st shutout (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/323/story/42491.html)

Charlotte goalie gets help from defense to stop 4 power plays

CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com
Goalie Chris Holt was quick to the puck, and to thank his helpers.

Holt's first professional shutout came in the Charlotte Checkers' 2-0 ECHL victory against Augusta at Bobcats Arena on Tuesday. A heavy workload recently is paying off for Holt, who made 27 saves.

"To be honest, I was pretty lucky," said Holt, 21. "They hit two posts, and our defense blocked a lot of big shots that probably would have gone in. We just played a tight game all around."

Holt, a second-year pro, has played 13 straight games since goalie Alex Westlund was promoted to Hartford of the American Hockey League.

Charlotte (31-21-1-2) moved to within two points of Augusta (32-24-1-2) in the playoff race, and the Lynx have played four more games. Charlotte has 18 games left.

Holt (20-16-2) and a hustling defense thwarted four power plays and didn't give up sloppy rebounds.

"One thing he's getting more consistent at is making the first save," coach Derek Wilkinson said, referring to Holt. "He's concentrating much better and getting good position. He's a big guy (6-foot-3) and has figured out how to use his size. He's really come on the last three or four weeks."

Dan Murphy's rebound goal, after a wrist shot by Nathan Gillies, gave Charlotte a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Less than five minutes later, Gillies pumped in a rebound for a 2-0 lead.

Gillies has points in eight of nine games since returning from injured reserve. Murphy, a rookie, has a goal in two straight.

Westlund had two shutouts this season. Holt, a sixth-round draft choice of the New York Rangers in 2003, knew his status heading into the third period.

"I knew I hadn't had one yet," he said, laughing. "There hadn't been a lot of games where I've had no goals going into the third period. The more important thing is the win against Augusta. We've got games in hand against them."

Notes

• The Checkers acquired defenseman Niko Tuomi from Phoenix.

• Defenseman John Donnelly was sold to South Carolina.

• Bruce Graham (team-high 30 goals) and defenseman Hannu Pikkarainen were recalled by Hartford.


Augusta 0 0 0 -- 0
Charlotte 0 2 0 -- 2

First period-None. Penalties-Saunders, A (interference), :57; DeWaele, C (hooking), 8:25; Blanchard, A (hooking), 9:56; Dryer, C (tripping), 15:51.

Second period-1, Char., Murphy 11 (Gillies), 2:33. 2, Char., Gillies 14 (Kenny Smith), 7:29. Penalties-Constant, C (interference), 8:14.

Third period-None. Penalties-Watson, A (tripping), 6:38; Kenny Smith, C (interference), 12:22.

Shots on goal: Aug. 15-7-5-27; Charlotte 10-11-8-29. Goalies: Aug., McKee (25-13-2) 29 shots, 27 saves; Charlotte, Holt (20-16-2), 27-27; Att-4,067.