ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers collapse in third period, fall to Florida 5-2

Published on November 18, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Fort Myers, Florida) - The Florida Everblades scored five, un-answered goals in the third period, erasing a 2-0 deficit en route to a 5-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night in Fort Myers, Florida. Ernie Hartleib scored the game-winner midway through the final period, and Steve Saviano added two, empty-net goals in the win. Former Checkers' forward Phil Aucoin and Dan Sisca added single goals for the Everblades.

Charlotte got its two goals from Mike Bayrack and Rory Rawlyk in dropping its second straight game on a three-game road trip. The Checkers have played seven of their first eight games away from home. Checkers goalie Jeff Glass took the loss making 27 saves, while Florida netminder Phil Osaer notched the win with 24 saves.

"Everything went wrong for us in the third period tonight," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "I think their first goal was knocked in with a high stick, and unfortunately their second goal was misplayed by Jeff Glass. It looked like the puck took a bad bounce and that's a tough rookie mistake to learn. Also losing three players for the game in the second-period melee didn't help either."

Charlotte took a 1-0 lead at 6:46 of the first period as Bayrack came in to the Florida zone and fired a shot into the upper right hand corner of the Everblades goal over Osaer's left shoulder. Bayrack's first goal of the season was unassisted. Charlotte was outshot nine to six in the first period but took a 1-0 advantage to the locker room after twenty minutes.

In the second period the Checkers penalty killers did a superb job and the power play clicked as Charlotte increased its lead to 2-0 after 40 minutes. The Checkers killed off three Everblades in the period, while Rawlyk lit the lamp on a screen shot with the extra man for his fourth goal of the season.

A melee broke out with 7:29 left in the period, with Everblades forward and former Checkers player Bogdan Rudenko boarding Charlotte defenseman Jeremy Domish. Charlotte's Luke Stauffacher challenged and fought Rudenko, while Rick Kozak fought with the Everblades Nick Vukovic. Kozak and Vukovic each got five minutes for fighting and a game misconduct. The Checkers' Peter Worrell also received a game misconduct, and Domish never returned after his injury.

Charlotte 2-0 led with 15 minutes left in the game before the roof caved in. Aucoin deflected a shot in from the point by Glass for the Everblades' first goal at 4:52 on the third period to cut the Checkers lead to 2-1.

At 8:14 Sisca's clear-in attempt hopped over Glass' glove and into the net to tie the game at 2-2. Two and a half minutes later Florida came into the Charlotte zone on a three-on-one break, with Hartleib's shot from the left wing circle beating Glass short side for the Everblades first lead of the game.

Charlotte had three straight power plays late in the game, but failed to get the equalizer. With Glass pulled for an extra attacker on the final power play setting up a six on four, Saviano scored two empty-net goals for the 5-2 final.

The Checkers lost their second straight game and fell to 5-2-1 for 11 points. The Everblades improved their record to 5-3-0 for 10 points. The Checkers will continue their weekend series Saturday night when they'll once again met the Everblades in Fort Myers at 7:30 PM. Charlotte's next home game at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena is Tuesday, November 22 when they'll meet the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:00 p.m. The Checkers will also be on home ice on Friday, November 25, hosting the Florida Everblades at 7:00 p.m.

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