Ice cheX
10-17-2007, 04:54 PM
CHECKERS 6, INFERNO 3
Barnes' 4-goal display something to build on (http://www.charlotte.com/checkers/story/318232.html)
Offseason acquisition pays dividends quickly
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
INDIAN TRAIL --
Welcome back, Joe Barnes.
Barnes scored the first four goals in the Charlotte Checkers' 6-3 ECHL exhibition victory against the Columbia Inferno at Extreme Ice Center on Saturday.
Not bad for a guy who has been out since December with a concussion.
Barnes, a 21-year-old center, is New York Rangers property, acquired in a July 3-for-1 deal that sent Matt Cullen to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Barnes has size (6-foot-3 and 212 pounds), nice touch around the net, and a sizzling two periods that had fans scrambling with "Wow, who's the new guy?"
"Quite a bit different than" Friday, Barnes said, referring to his scoreless performance during Friday's 3-2 exhibition win at South Carolina. "We had a tough time, but today was much better."
Barnes scored on a rebound two minutes in. His second goal came on a two-man advantage early in the second period. The third and fourth came 23 seconds apart in the second -- a wrister over goalie Jeff Jakaitis and a laser from about 10 feet.
After two periods, it was Barnes 4, Columbia 0.
"My goal is to stay healthy, and play games this season," said Barnes, who played 15 games with Albany in the American Hockey League as a rookie last season.
Kaleb Betts and Ryan Murphy scored during third period for Charlotte. The Inferno scored its three goals during the third period, but the Checkers weren't seriously challenged.
The highlight -- besides Barnes -- for most of the crowd at the Checkers practice facility was three fights two seconds apart to open the third period. Charlotte's pugilists were Mike Hartwick, Neil Poulsen and Betts.
Dusty Jamieson, Clayton Barthel and Murphy had two assists apiece for the Checkers. They will host Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the opener at Bobcats Arena.
Matt Zaba, a rookie from Colorado College, stopped 27 of 30 shots. He was perfect on 14 shots through two periods.
"I thought we skated a lot better," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "We worked together a little bit better, and they stood up for each other."
"... Overall in the two games, we're pretty pleased with what we came up with."
Barnes' 4-goal display something to build on (http://www.charlotte.com/checkers/story/318232.html)
Offseason acquisition pays dividends quickly
CLIFF MEHRTENS
cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)
INDIAN TRAIL --
Welcome back, Joe Barnes.
Barnes scored the first four goals in the Charlotte Checkers' 6-3 ECHL exhibition victory against the Columbia Inferno at Extreme Ice Center on Saturday.
Not bad for a guy who has been out since December with a concussion.
Barnes, a 21-year-old center, is New York Rangers property, acquired in a July 3-for-1 deal that sent Matt Cullen to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Barnes has size (6-foot-3 and 212 pounds), nice touch around the net, and a sizzling two periods that had fans scrambling with "Wow, who's the new guy?"
"Quite a bit different than" Friday, Barnes said, referring to his scoreless performance during Friday's 3-2 exhibition win at South Carolina. "We had a tough time, but today was much better."
Barnes scored on a rebound two minutes in. His second goal came on a two-man advantage early in the second period. The third and fourth came 23 seconds apart in the second -- a wrister over goalie Jeff Jakaitis and a laser from about 10 feet.
After two periods, it was Barnes 4, Columbia 0.
"My goal is to stay healthy, and play games this season," said Barnes, who played 15 games with Albany in the American Hockey League as a rookie last season.
Kaleb Betts and Ryan Murphy scored during third period for Charlotte. The Inferno scored its three goals during the third period, but the Checkers weren't seriously challenged.
The highlight -- besides Barnes -- for most of the crowd at the Checkers practice facility was three fights two seconds apart to open the third period. Charlotte's pugilists were Mike Hartwick, Neil Poulsen and Betts.
Dusty Jamieson, Clayton Barthel and Murphy had two assists apiece for the Checkers. They will host Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the opener at Bobcats Arena.
Matt Zaba, a rookie from Colorado College, stopped 27 of 30 shots. He was perfect on 14 shots through two periods.
"I thought we skated a lot better," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "We worked together a little bit better, and they stood up for each other."
"... Overall in the two games, we're pretty pleased with what we came up with."