Checkers' Point Streak Ends at Texas
December 29, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Charlotte Checkers News Release
For all of the Checkers' recent success, they still can't seem to solve the Texas Stars.
By way of a 3-1 defeat at Texas on Saturday, the Checkers fell to 0-1-2 against the Stars this season, with their South Division lead dropping to two points. Zac Dalpe opened the scoring in the first period before Texas stormed back to score three unanswered goals, one in each period, against goalie Dan Ellis, who finished with 28 saves.
The result marked the first time the Checkers have suffered a regulation loss on the road since Oct. 31 at Milwaukee. It also ended Charlotte's point streak at seven games (5-0-2), which tied a franchise record set during the team's inaugural season in 2010-11.
The Checkers, who suffered an overtime defeat at Houston on Friday, will now complete their three-games-in-three-nights stretch against divisional opponents at San Antonio on Sunday.
Saturday's game started out brightly enough, with Dalpe ending a six-game goal drought that matched his longest of the season as the result of a great give-and-go play with Riley Nash just two seconds after a Checkers power play had expired. The goal was Dalpe's eighth of the season and first since Dec. 11 against Milwaukee.
The home team then began its barrage against Ellis, who was playing for the second time in the Checkers' last six games. NHL veteran Toby Peterson started the scoring by finishing a centering feed from Taylor Vause with five minutes left in the first period. The goal was Peterson's second of the season, as he had not scored since the season opener back on Oct. 13.
With the Stars beginning to seize the momentum - though shots finished at an even 31 apiece, the home team was ahead 18-8 at one point - Alex Chiasson scored the eventual game winner on a power play five minutes into the second period. The Checkers had taken two consecutive penalties to start the middle frame, having killed off a Riley Nash tripping penalty before Texas made them pay for Jeremy Welsh's hold just 15 seconds after Nash's penalty had expired.
Despite some increasing pressure by the Checkers, Stars scoring leader Cody Eakin, who had four goals in his last four games against Charlotte coming in, put the final nail in the coffin midway through the third period. As Chiasson sent a centering feed toward Eakin coming down the left side, Ellis nearly made a spectacular diving save only to see Eakin pull the puck toward his backhand and slide it under him for the 3-1 lead.
The Checkers out-shot Texas 13-6 in the third period, but it was to no avail as the team fell to 0-1-1 to start their three-in-three set. Even if they were to beat San Antonio on Sunday, they are already assured of their worst finish to a three-in-three this season, as Saturday's loss dropped them to a combined 10-2-2 in those games.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2012
- Monsters Rebound with Shutout Win over Former Goalie - Cleveland Monsters
- Falcons Snowed In By Whale - Springfield Falcons
- Crunch Fall to IceCaps 5-4 - Syracuse Crunch
- Texas Takes Down Charlotte 3-1 - Texas Stars
- IceCaps Stage Huge Comeback Win - St. John's IceCaps
- Toronto Rallies to Split Weekend Set in Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Toronto Defeats Grand Rapids 3-1 - Toronto Marlies
- Wolves Burned by Heat, 3-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Backman Leads Sound Tigers Past Monarchs 4-1 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Checkers' Point Streak Ends at Texas - Charlotte Checkers
- San Antonio Slips By Houston Aeros 2-1 In Overtime - Houston Aeros
- Monsters Scare Bulldogs 4-0 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Monarchs Take Step Back-Man - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks See Three-Game Home Win Streak Halted in 2-1 Loss to B-Sens - Rochester Americans
- Phantoms Clipped in Snowy Lewiston - Adirondack Phantoms
- Penguins Fall to Admirals in Overtime - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Sharks Mash Bruins Late for 3-2 Win - Worcester Sharks
- Maroon Nets Overtime Winner as Admirals Top Penguins - Norfolk Admirals
- Devils Hold on to Defeat Bears in Final Game of 2012 - Hershey Bears
- Whale defeat Falcons - Connecticut Whale
- B-Sens Top Amerks, 2-1 - Binghamton Senators
- Devils Find Answer Late, Defeat Bears - Albany Devils
- Bruins Fall to Sharks 3-2 - Providence Bruins
- Oilers Re-Assign Cornet & Martindale to Stockton - Oklahoma City Barons
- Sound Tigers Sign Jackson to PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Defensemen Niemi, Delisle Reassigned to ECHL Greenville - Connecticut Whale
- Youth Jersey Night Tonight as Hogs Host Ads - Rockford IceHogs
- American Hockey League Announces Suspensions - AHL
- Falcons Game Preview: Springfield Vs. Connecticut, Game #29 - Springfield Falcons
- Local Author and Reporter Christie Casciano to Drop Ceremonial Puck - Syracuse Crunch
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.