Charlotte Elite Event: Checkers Scream Section

What’s more fun than a hockey game? A hockey game with Unilocal’s elite! Let’s just through in the fact that the game ended in a tie and a shootout, thus resulting in a Checkers win. Can’t really top that.
I was disappointed that I couldn’t make the pregame party but I did thoroughly enjoy my time at the game.
Thank you Ben for your continued hard work and diligence in pulling these events together. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

Great Event! Especially filling up on the delicious snacks from Queen City Q and then having an exciting Checkers game to watch. Watching the Checkers to tie the game with 20 seconds left in regulation, zero scoring in OT, and forcing the shootout was pure excitement and fun.
Always great to see some fellow elites out and about. Got to meet some new faces and hang out with some oldies — me being an «oldie» myself.
This was also my first time in the Queen City Q. I still want to call it La Vecchias (sp?) that occupied the space for the longest time before the Q came. It is actually the perfect fit since the Q is the main pregame spot for Checkers games. Convenient parking (validated) and then a block away from the arena. Who couldn’t ask for a better set up?
Overall a great way to spend a Friday night in the Queen City. Left with a belly full of Q and a lot of smiles on my face!

I don’t know how he continues to do it (my money is on the beard), but Ben is the man.
Pulling into Seventh Street Station, you can smell the ‘cue. This is probably good marketing on the part of Queen City Q. Don’t forget your parking ticket, because even on nights like this, where there is an event uptown and they charge hefty fees for parking, you can go inside for a drink or a bite, and they will validate. Nice. Here, QCQ treated us to some excellent appetizers of barbecue sliders, house-​made chips and pimento cheese, and of course their insane wings, which are smoked before flavoring, which gives them their great flavor.
Prior to going to an event uptown — in this case a Checkers game — QCQ is the place to be, and not just for parking. It’s just a short jaunt over to the arena. No messing around here!
But Ben didn’t stop at the food, because though the game was a bit short on thrills up front, it pulled out all the end — with a bit over a minute to go, and our Checkers trailing by a goal, they pulled their goalie.
Those of you who follow hockey know that this rarely works. Still, there is little harm in trying, because you are already losing. In this case, it worked. The Checkers tied it up and went into overtime, where no one scored. Then it went to a shootout, where it remained tied until sudden-​death shootout, and the Checkers brought it home. Heck yeah.
It must’ve been the beard.

What a great set-​up at Queen City Q and tickets to an amazing hockey game!
When I first heard of this event, much like other elite events, I jumped at the opportunity to attend. I knew ahead of time it was going to be a great uptown excursion.
Queen City Q was a first for me, and I was greatly impressed in the venue, food, and service. I would definitely come back. I had previously overlooked the location being that it was nestled in the parking garage venue there on the corner. As I walked in, I was blown away by the décor of the interior. They also had an artist playing some great acoustic guitar right as we walked in.
The restaurant also had its own area sectioned off area with a nice buffet for us Unilocalers and we were also able to partake of some fantastic beer specials for a good number of those on tap.
Our seats for the game were great! Lower level seats! Watching, getting rowdy, and playing the «icing» drinking game proved to be quite the time. Not to mention the game went into OT via shootout, and Checkers pulling out the W! Fantastic.
As per our time at Queen City Q, we were also able to validate our parking.
Good times, and great meeting new faces! A+ Ben! Looking forward to the next game already!

I had a whole fun!
The food and service at Queen City Q were delightful & the game ended in a shootout. Very exciting stuff.
This was my first hockey game, but i don’t think it’ll be my last.

What a great event! Who would have predicted the game ending in a shoot-​off?
And Queen City Q was pretty delish. I want to go back again today to get some of their tasty smoked wings. I am pretty sure that is what I’ll get next time I’m there. And not to mention they have $ 3 NC beers there on Fridays. Holy cow, the «Doin’ Thyme» was flippin’ awesome.
We had a great time, as always. Thank you, Ben, for putting on this awesome event. And thanks to Queen City Q and the Charlotte Checkers for such a great time.

This was just my 2^nd event as Unilocal Elite and it was great! Queen City Q is THE place to be before a Checkers game! Added bonus that they validate parking for 7^th street station!
Once you step in the garage and smell the smoky goodness, you have to eat there! We tried the pulled pork sliders, smoked wings and some homemade chips — yumm! Next time I’m all over their sauce selection! Our server was slammed, but she handled our large group with a smile and kept the bargain beers flowing! ($ 3 NC beers, anyone???)
Our seats at the game were awesome! Unfortunately there was only 1 fight to see and it was at the other end, but we could see all the action during the shootout! What a game! I love going the Checkers — I only wish the Bobcats games were as affordable!
Thanks for the awesome event!!!

Those that know me know I love hockey more than any other sport and I love the Checkers. Now with the NHL lockout, the Checkers 3^rd season in Charlotte, (they were the Albany River Rats and moved here in 2010, supplanting a lower level ECHL team that went by the same name), the Checkers are the highest level of hockey in North America. The game was exciting, despite being low scoring. It was fast with few penalties. The Checkers, down 2 – 1, removed their goalie with 90 seconds left so they could have an extra attacker and it paid off. They score with 12.8 seconds left. Hockey went to the shoot out in 2005-​06. If tied at the end of regulation, they play 4 on 4 for minutes of sudden death overtime. If no one scores, a shootout decides the game. The first team to reach 3 goals on penalty shots after both teams have had a chance wins, and the Checkers came out on top after 7 rounds. The Checkers organization is a great community asset and they are always doing great things, including moving a former fan from Albany to Charlotte by raising money to purchase his family a house in Charlotte. No matter where hockey loving transplants are from, everyone latches on to the Checkers, especially the AHL franchise. They are a class act.
Going backwards, the pregame at Queen City Q was good. They have good food, the owners are nice people, and they have a killer beer selection. They are collecting hams until Wednesday and will give you a $ 5 gift certificate if you bring one, plus you will be entered to win Checkers and Bobcats merchandise.
All in all, it was a great night of hockey. Thanks Ben, Queen City Q, the Checkers, and Unilocal