SD12
04-13-2007, 10:07 AM
In honor of Babs' B'day today, I'd thought I'd give her the day off here:
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (http://www.charlotte.com/323/story/83450.html)
CHECKERS GET PLANE RIDE FOR PLAYOFFS
by CLIFF MEHRTENS (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
Up, up and away.
The Charlotte Checkers, after a season of bus rides covering thousands of miles, were treated by owner Michael Kahn with a plane trip to Florida to begin its second-round ECHL playoff series.
The Checkers flew about 90 minutes Thursday afternoon, instead of the nine-hour bus trip to Fort Myers, Fla.
Kahn, in his first season as owner, said the charter plane was reward for playing well down the stretch and qualifying for the playoffs.
"They've been working their tails off the past few weeks," he said. "Bus trips can be hard, physically and mentally. I want the guys to be fresh. ... I'm a fan first, but I'm a businessman too, and we're staying within our budget."
Players, coaches and staff flew. The team's equipment and supplies were sent via bus.
Kahn said he starting telling the players he'd spring for a plane if they faced a playoff trip to Florida or Texas. When the Checkers eliminated Augusta in the first playoff round on Tuesday, the players sought out Kahn in the locker room.
"They were calling me out," he said, laughing. "These guys have done everything I've asked, on and off the ice. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, but they've worked very hard."
Game 1 in the best-of-5 division semifinal against the Florida Everblades is today, and Game 2 on Saturday. Both will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Checkers will host Game 3 on Tuesday, and Game 4 (if necessary) on Thursday at Bobcats Arena. Both will begin at 7. A fifth game, if needed, would be April 22 in Florida.
"It was really nice for our owner to do," coach Derek Wilkinson said, referring to the plane trip. "It gives us an extra day in Charlotte, and some of the guys can use that rest."
The Checkers finished the regular season with six games in eight days -- grueling even by ECHL standards. It included trips from Cincinnati and Gwinnett County, Ga., immediately after games, and little rest between games.
The Checkers had Easter Sunday off, opened the playoffs on Monday at home and played in Augusta on Tuesday. Charlotte won both games in overtime on goals by Daymen Rycroft.
Florida, 44-22-6 in the regular season, had a first-round bye.
"They are deep, good in all areas and have a lot of offense," Wilkinson said. "We will have to play our best to best them."
Charlotte goaltender Chris Holt allowed three goals in 135 minutes against Augusta, a 1.33 goals-against average. He stopped 61-of-64 shots.
The offense was led by Rycroft (two goals and an assist), Kenton Smith (three assists), Nathan Gillies (two goals), and Mark Lee and Bruce Graham (two assists apiece).
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (http://www.charlotte.com/323/story/83450.html)
CHECKERS GET PLANE RIDE FOR PLAYOFFS
by CLIFF MEHRTENS (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
Up, up and away.
The Charlotte Checkers, after a season of bus rides covering thousands of miles, were treated by owner Michael Kahn with a plane trip to Florida to begin its second-round ECHL playoff series.
The Checkers flew about 90 minutes Thursday afternoon, instead of the nine-hour bus trip to Fort Myers, Fla.
Kahn, in his first season as owner, said the charter plane was reward for playing well down the stretch and qualifying for the playoffs.
"They've been working their tails off the past few weeks," he said. "Bus trips can be hard, physically and mentally. I want the guys to be fresh. ... I'm a fan first, but I'm a businessman too, and we're staying within our budget."
Players, coaches and staff flew. The team's equipment and supplies were sent via bus.
Kahn said he starting telling the players he'd spring for a plane if they faced a playoff trip to Florida or Texas. When the Checkers eliminated Augusta in the first playoff round on Tuesday, the players sought out Kahn in the locker room.
"They were calling me out," he said, laughing. "These guys have done everything I've asked, on and off the ice. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, but they've worked very hard."
Game 1 in the best-of-5 division semifinal against the Florida Everblades is today, and Game 2 on Saturday. Both will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Checkers will host Game 3 on Tuesday, and Game 4 (if necessary) on Thursday at Bobcats Arena. Both will begin at 7. A fifth game, if needed, would be April 22 in Florida.
"It was really nice for our owner to do," coach Derek Wilkinson said, referring to the plane trip. "It gives us an extra day in Charlotte, and some of the guys can use that rest."
The Checkers finished the regular season with six games in eight days -- grueling even by ECHL standards. It included trips from Cincinnati and Gwinnett County, Ga., immediately after games, and little rest between games.
The Checkers had Easter Sunday off, opened the playoffs on Monday at home and played in Augusta on Tuesday. Charlotte won both games in overtime on goals by Daymen Rycroft.
Florida, 44-22-6 in the regular season, had a first-round bye.
"They are deep, good in all areas and have a lot of offense," Wilkinson said. "We will have to play our best to best them."
Charlotte goaltender Chris Holt allowed three goals in 135 minutes against Augusta, a 1.33 goals-against average. He stopped 61-of-64 shots.
The offense was led by Rycroft (two goals and an assist), Kenton Smith (three assists), Nathan Gillies (two goals), and Mark Lee and Bruce Graham (two assists apiece).