VERSUS
Congratulations to General Manager and Head Coach Derek Wilkinson who got his 200 career win in Charlotte Sunday. In addition to being a terrific GM and Head Coach, Wilkinson has been an incredible and invaluable help to us here at Howlings. This couldn’t happen to a better person. Congratulations Wilky!
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST PROPELS CHECKERS OVER ELMIRA
Wilkinson Gets 200th Win In 6-4 Victory
Derek Wilkinson earned his 200th win as head coach and rookie Jean-Philipp Chabot scored the game-winning goal as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Elmira Jackals, 6-4, on Sunday evening. The win was the second in a row against the Jackals at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Frank Doyle stopped 22 of 24 in his Checkers debut and Charlotte leading scorer Michel Leveille added a goal and an assist. Ex-Checkers goaltender Chris Holt stopped 16 of 22 for the Jackals in a losing effort.
Just 25 seconds in, and for the fourth game in a row, the Checkers struck first. Defenseman Kevin Schaeffer took a shot from the point and Kenny Roche was there to bang in the rebound out of mid-air for his second of the season.
Charlotte made it a 2-0 game just over three minutes later when Tyler Doig dished a pass over to Leveille who then buried it into the top corner for his seventh of the season.
Elmira would answer back just 22 seconds later when Tyler Donati converted a pass from his twin brother Justin and beat Doyle between the legs.
The Checkers remained on the offensive and added three unanswered goals in the first 13 minutes of the second period by T.J. Reynolds, Andrew Carroll and Chabot. The goal by Reynolds was his second in as many games against the Jackals.
Elmira responded on a goal by Chanse Fitzpatrick, however, Charlotte regained their four goal lead with nine seconds left in the period. Steve Ward dragged the puck along the ice and set himself up for a slap shot that beat Holt over the glove.
The Jackals showed signs of life in the third period adding goals by Maxime Gratchev and Olivier Proulx to cut the Checkers lead to 6-4.
Elmira would apply some late pressure but Doyle turned aside all nine shots he faced in the third period for his first victory as a Checker.
The Checkers (6-3-2-0) will host South Carolina on Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 7pm and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
Notes: Head Coach Derek Wilkinson (200-164-36) recorded his 200th win in today’s game…Matt Schepke now has seven points (5g, 2a) in his last six games…Michel Leveille leads the team in scoring with 13 pts (7g, 6a) in 11 games… Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Ryan Munce, Trevor Glass and Randy Rowe are all on the 21-day injured reserve.
