Checkers Downed by Norfolk, 4-1, in Preseason Finale
Published on October 3, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC-The Charlotte Checkers took an early lead before surrendering four unanswered goals as they were downed, 4-1, by the Norfolk Admirals in the preseason finale Sunday afternoon at Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C.
Jon Matsumoto scored the lone goal for Charlotte while second-year goaltender Mike Murphy stopped 35 shots in a losing effort. Mike Angelidis, a member of the Albany River Rats last season, led the way offensively for the Admirals with three assists.
Charlotte opened the scoring early on a goal by Matsumoto. Jerome Samson, who led Albany in scoring in 2009-10, made a nifty move down low at the right wall and fed a pass out front to Matsumoto who switched to his backhand and beat Admirals' goaltender Dustin Tokarski. The goal came at 2:34 of the first period and Kyle Lawson picked up the extra assist.
Minutes later, Checkers defensemen Kyle Lawson and Zack Fitzgerald were handed back-to-back penalties giving Norfolk a 5-on-3 man advantage for 1:17. Murphy stood strong and defenseman Casey Borer made a diving save as time wound down on the penalties, preserving the one-goal lead.
With three minutes to play in the period, Admirals forward Matt Fornataro converted a rebound in front from a turnaround shot by Paul Szczechura to make it 1-1.
Murphy again drew applause early in the second frame when he stopped Szczechura with two point blank saves, keeping it a 1-1 game.
The Admirals would then take their first lead of the preseason eight minutes into the second period. Forward Mitch Fadden took a pass in the neutral zone, beat a Checkers defender and broke in alone on Murphy before deking the Charlotte netminder and backhanding the puck into the open goal.
Then with less than two minutes to play in the period, Norfolk doubled its lead when defenseman Mark Barberio took a pass in the slot and rifled a wrist shot over the glove of Murphy. The goal came at 18:18 and was assisted by Kevin Quick and former Albany River Rats forward Mike Angelidis.
Charlotte had plenty of offensive chances early in the third period but could not seem to solve Admirals goaltender Dustin Tokarski.
Norfolk then added some insurance when forward Juraj Simek took a harmless looking shot which deflected off a Charlotte defender's stick and into the net past Murphy. The goal came at 16:09 of the third period, putting the game out of reach as the Admirals skated away with a 4-1 victory.
The Checkers will trim their roster and finish up training camp before Saturday's season opener in Hartford. The team will then return for the home opener on Friday, Oct. 15 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season ticket packages start as low as $10 per game and can be purchased through the Checkers' front office by calling 704-342-4423.
American Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2010
- Phantoms Fall in Preseason Finale - Adirondack Phantoms
- Crunch Hold off Adirondack, 5-4 - Syracuse Crunch
- Aeros Fly Past Stars 5-0 in Preseason Action - Houston Aeros
- Byers Nets Three in Wolf Pack Win - Connecticut Whale
- Bears Trim Roster by Seven - Hershey Bears
- Bulldogs Sweep B-Sens in Pre-Season Action - Binghamton Senators
- Admirals Reduce Roster by Nine - Milwaukee Admirals
- Twelve Players Arrive from Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Admirals Defeat Checkers 4-1 in Pre-Season Finale - Norfolk Admirals
- Sharks Drop Final Exhibition Game 5-2 to Wolf Pack - Worcester Sharks
- Islanders Assign 12 to Sound Tigers, Release Five - Bridgeport Islanders
- Checkers Downed by Norfolk, 4-1, in Preseason Finale - Charlotte Checkers
- Bulldogs Defeat Senators 4-3 in Shootout for Third Straight Pre-Season Win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Panthers Assign Markstrom to Rochester, Three Placed on Waivers - Rochester Americans
- Rampage Reduce Roster by Five Players - San Antonio Rampage
- Rangers Trim Training Camp Roster by Four - Connecticut Whale
- Crunch Trim Roster by One - Syracuse Crunch
- Moose Trim Roster by 15 - Manitoba Moose
- Rivermen Reduce Roster by Eleven - Peoria Rivermen
- Columbus Assigns Eight Players to Springfield - Springfield Falcons
- Blues Recall Four from Peoria - Peoria Rivermen
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.
