Checkers Blank Whale In Front Of Record Crowd
Published on February 26, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Mike Murphy recorded his second shutout of the week as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Connecticut Whale, 1-0, in front of a record crowd of 12,933 on Saturday evening.
With the win, the Checkers improved to 4-1-0-2 on a current seven-game span which consisted of six different cities in nine nights and more than 2,700 miles of traveling.
Murphy continued his play as one of the league's hottest goalies turning away all 28 Connecticut shots. The two-time Ontario Hockey League Goaltender of the Year is now 8-0-1, including two shutouts, in his last nine games.
Matthew Pistilli scored the game-winning goal for Charlotte, converting a rebound during an early second-period power play.
Connecticut netminder Dov Grumet-Morris did his best to match his counterpart, stopping all but one of Charlotte's 22 shots, but the Whale offense couldn't find an answer for Murphy.
Tempers flared throughout a scoreless first period. Nicolas Blanchard scrapped with AHL penalty minute leader Devin DiDiomete in the opening minute of the game while Zack FitzGerald and Brett Bellemore also dropped the gloves for Charlotte in the first.
The Checkers broke the scoreless tie at 4:10 of the second period on Pistilli's power-play tally. Ethan Graham threw a puck on net from the low slot, forced a rebound and Pistilli buried it on his second attempt.
Murphy made several key saves toward the end of the period, including a diving shoulder stop and an impressive stab with his glove on a 2-on-1.
With just over a minute remaining in the third period, Connecticut pulled Grumet-Morris for an extra attacker, but couldn't find the equalizer as the Checkers held on for a 1-0 victory.
Charlotte (33-20-2-6) will embark on a three-game road trip beginning on Friday, Mar. 4 when they take on the Providence Bruins. The Checkers will return home on Tuesday, Mar. 8 against the Binghamton Senators. For ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.
For every âlike' the Checkers get on their Facebook page between now and Apr. 1, the team will donate $2 to Zach Bennett and his family, who plan to move to Charlotte for better medical care. Visit www.gocheckers.com for more information.
American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2011
- Hogs outduel Admirals - Rockford IceHogs
- Falcons Beat Pirates 4-1 - Springfield Falcons
- Rampage dims Stars - San Antonio Rampage
- Manchester sweeps home-and-home series with four of five goals via power play - Bridgeport Islanders
- B-Sens Streak Ends At Eight With Shootout Loss To Amerks - Binghamton Senators
- P-Bruins Fall To Heat 6-2 - Providence Bruins
- Strong Third Lifts Wolves Over Rivermen - Peoria Rivermen
- Rangers Return Michael Del Zotto to Whale - Connecticut Whale
- Rampage Edge Stars 3-2 In A Shootout - Texas Stars
- Crunch Bitten by Bulldogs, 3-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks Pick Up Second Straight Win In 3-2 Shootout Victory Over B-Sens - Rochester Americans
- Haydar, Mannino Lead Wolves Past Peoria, 5-2 - Chicago Wolves
- "B" To The Power Of Four - Manchester Monarchs
- Monsters Storm Griffins, 3-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Checkers Blank Whale In Front Of Record Crowd - Charlotte Checkers
- Bulldogs Beat Crunch 3-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Admirals Lose Late Lead and Fall to Penguins in Shootout - Norfolk Admirals
- Adirondack Triumphs in Shootout Thriller - Adirondack Phantoms
- Phantoms spook Sharks in the Shootout 2-1 - Worcester Sharks
- Checkers gets past Whale - Connecticut Whale
- Pirates Stumble in Springfield - Portland Pirates
- Late Charge By Devils Not Enough At Hershey - Albany Devils
- Nemisz Recalled to the Calgary Flames - Abbotsford Heat
- Florida Panthers Acquire F Tim Kennedy and 2011 Third Round Draft Pick - Rochester Americans
- Rick DiPietro and Trent Hunter to Drop Ceremonial Puck Tomorrow - Bridgeport Islanders
- Promotional Clarification - Abbotsford Heat
- Tim Kennedy Traded by Rangers in Deal to Acquire Bryan McCabe - Connecticut Whale
- Moose Denied by Marlies 3-1 - Manitoba Moose
- Crunch Announce Details of Tully's Good Times Air Hockey Tournament March 2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Torquato and Danis-Pepin Join the Mix in Rockford, Bring on the Admirals - Rockford IceHogs
- Coyotes Assign Maclean and Yonkman to San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
- Pitton Recalled from Stockton - Oklahoma City Barons
- Belak Assigned to Milwaukee - Milwaukee Admirals
- Wolves Shuffle Roster - Chicago Wolves
- Lightning Reassign Leading Goal Scorer Harju to Admirals - Norfolk Admirals
- Moose Sign Mike Mole to PTO - Manitoba Moose
- Gameday Preview- Texas at San Antonio - Texas Stars
- Falcons Host Pirates Tonight - Springfield Falcons
- Heat Blanked by Bruins 4-0 - Abbotsford Heat
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