Charlotte Checkers Hold Off Gwinnett Gladiators 4-3 - ECHL

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Checkers nearly surrendered a four goal lead but were able to hold off a surging Gwinnett Gladiators team winning by a score of 4-3.
 The Checkers came out of the gate with a ferocious demeanor scoring three goals in the first stanza. The initial goal was tallied at 7:18 by forward, Justin Maiser who was making his home debut as a Checker. Maiser batted in a rebound off the initial shot taken by Lee Falardeau putting Charlotte up 1-0. Checkers defenseman, Jared Nightingale put his team up 2-0 when he took a point shot that found its way through traffic past Gladiators netminder, Craig Kowalski at 9:49. The last goal of the stanza was registered by another Checkers defenseman, Kirk Dewaele at 13:24 when he blasted home a rebound on another Farlardeau shot.
 The start of the middle stanza was a continuation of the dominance by the
ADVERTISEMENT Checkers as Maiser would score his second of the contest 25 seconds into the period. All was going the Checkers way until Mike Hamilton scored an unassisted goal beating Charlotte goalie, Chris Holt at 14:43. The Gladiators continued to fight and they would be rewarded with another goal slashing the Checkers lead to 4-2 after Chad Denny rifled a one-timer after a nice pass from Tomas Pospisil at 16:45. Denny would score another goal just over three minutes later when he wristed a shot from the slot that snuck through Holt’s pads with 47 seconds remaining in the second period. The Charlotte four goal lead had been cut to 4-3 after forty minutes.
Despite scoring three unanswered goal, the Gladiators couldn’t score the tying goal and the Checkers would win by a score of 4-3. The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL.  Their next home game takes place on March 6 against the Dayton Bombers. In the team’s 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date.  The Checkers are in their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.  Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $175.  For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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