10/23/2007 - Checkers Bounce Back, Defeat Lynx

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Checkers Press Release

CHECKERS BOUNCE BACK, DEFEAT LYNX
Goaltender Matt Zaba Wins First Professional Game

CHARLOTTE, NC. – The Charlotte Checkers were looking to rebound after a loss on Saturday and standing in their way were the Augusta Lynx.

In the first period, the Checkers got on the board with a power play goal from Dusty Jamieson at 4:53 that beat Lynx netminder, Nathan Marsters. Later, Chris Capraro scored a fabulous highlight-reel goal when he toe-dragged the puck around a Lynx defender only to slip the puck between the legs of Marsters on the ensuing breakaway giving his team a 2-0 lead at 18:44.

After going scoreless for 17:00 of the second period, Checkers forward, Ryan Murphy slammed one home as he cut inside the crease and put the puck behind Marsters for the 3-0 advantage.

The final frame would again be dominated by Charlotte and the scoring would continue. The power play went to work again on a 5 on 3 advantage when Bruce Graham took the one-timer rocket shot that beat Augusta again at 4:13. Augusta would finally manage to beat goaltender Matt Zaba at 7:19 when Aaron Slattengren found a loose puck in front and banged it home at 7:19. But, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback and the Checkers would add one more goal from Mike Ouellette ending the night with a 5-1 victory.

Notes: Zaba turned aside 29 of 30 shots for his first professional victory…Martsters stopped 23 of 28…Checkers power play tailed two goals on six tries while Augusta managed zero goals on their five chances…The Checkers next home game takes place on Nov. 7 against South Carolina.

[babs<3checkers]

Lynx Press Release (http://www.augustalynx.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=795)

Checkers hand Lynx first loss of the season, 5-1

It was a night of unlucky breaks for the Augusta Lynx on Tuesday in Charlotte. The Lynx began their 8-game road swing with a 5-1 loss to the Checkers. The loss dropped the Lynx to 2-1-0 on the season and in a tie in the standings with Charlotte.

Charlotte outshot the Lynx 10-5 in the 1st period and got on the board early with a power play goal. Most of the Lynx good chances were either blocked or just missed the net. A breakaway goal late in the period netted the Checkers a 2-0 lead.

The Lynx went down 3-0 early in the 2nd period and again had chances, but couldn't convert, however they did outshot the Checkers 10-8 in the 2nd period. Charlotte made it 4-0 with a 5 on 3 power play goal, but #19 Aaron Slattengren spoiled the shutout with a turnaround goal with assists from #23 John Laliberte and #11 Matt Christie.

Charlotte would add one more goal for insurance. Goaltender #1 Nathan Marsters played well in net, but it wasn't enough for the Lynx. #10 Jason Kostadine had the lone scrap of the night getting the better of Checkers toughman Jared Nightingale

[babs<3checkers]

CHECKERS 5, LYNX 1

Checkers Rookie gets 29 saves (http://www.charlotte.com/checkers/story/331502.html)
Zaba at ease, confident in his unexpected start
By Cliff Mehrtens

Matt Zaba wasn't big into souvenirs Tuesday.

The Charlotte Checkers rookie goaltender earned his first professional victory and was presented the puck afterward.

"I gave it to a little girl," he said. "She'll enjoy it more. Hopefully, this will be the first of many."

Zaba's 29 saves sparked Charlotte's 5-1 ECHL victory against the Augusta Lynx at Bobcats Arena. Dusty Jamieson, Chris Capraro, Bruce Graham, Ryan Murphy and Mike Ouellette scored for the Checkers, who dominated on both ends.

It was stark contrast to Zaba's debut, a 6-2 home loss Saturday to the Texas Wildcatters.

"I wasn't as relaxed (Saturday) as I was today," said Zaba, a New York Rangers prospect who played at Colorado College. "I felt a lot more confident. The two games were night-and-day for our team. We had solid defense, guys going really hard. They made my job fairly easy."

Zaba wasn't scheduled to start, but fellow Rangers prospect Chris Holt was recalled by Hartford of the American Hockey League.

Charlotte (2-1) was sharp throughout the lineup. The passing was crisp. The hitting was intense without being reckless, and Augusta got limited access to Zaba.

"Every single player had a good game," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "It takes time to get to know each other. When you compete, it's amazing. Good things happen."

Capraro's goal was the slickest. Driving down the right wing, he drew the puck around a defenseman, faked a forehand and softly poked a backhand between goalie Nathan Marsters' leg pads to make it 2-0 late in the first period.

Jamieson scored when he re-directed Kenton Smith's slapshot. Graham scored on a 5-on-3 power play, and Ouellette tapped in a perfect pass from Murphy for a 5-1 lead.

Trevor Frischmon, signed Tuesday, had two assists. Blake Bellefeuille contributed two assists for his third consecutive multiple-point game.

The Checkers also killed all five of Augusta's power plays.


Augusta 0 0 1 -- 1
Charlotte 2 1 2 -- 5

FIRST PERIOD: 1, Charlotte, Jamieson 2 (Kenton Smith, Falardeau), 4:53 (pp). 2, Charlotte, Capraro 1 (Bellefeuille), 18:44. Penalties: Coutu, A (slashing), 3:08; Gillies, C (boarding), 14:36; DeWaele, C (slashing), 15:38.

Second period: 3, Charlotte, Murphy 1 (Frischmon), 17:00. Penalties: Graham, C (holding), 1:38; Goulet, A (goalie interference), 11:32; DeWaele, C (high-sticking), 14:00; Nightingale, C (fighting major), 18:12; Kostadine, A (fighting major), 18:12.

Third period: 4, Charlotte, Graham 2 (Capraro, Bellefeuille), 4:13 (pp). 5, Augusta, Slattengren 2 (Christie, Laliberte), 7:19. 6, Charlotte, Ouellette 1 (Murphy, Frischmon), 9:58. Penalties: Kenny Smith, C (cross-checking), 1:07; Slattengren, A (high-sticking), 3:41; Watson, A (hooking), 3:46; Scuderi, A (hooking), 15:04; Lundberg, A (high-sticking), 18:41.

Shots on goal: Augusta 5-10-15--30; Charlotte 11-8-9--28. Goalies: Augusta, Marsters 2-1-0 (28 shots-23 saves); Charlotte, Zaba 1-1-0 (30-29). Att.: 2,992 (at Charlotte).