ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Drop Heartbreaker To Everblades

November 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers battled their division rivals, the Florida Everblades tonight to a 5-4 shootout loss.

In the first period, while on the power play, Checkers defenseman Mark Smith scored on his first shot as a Checker as he made his debut after sitting out the first part of the season with a lower-body injury. Kaleb Betts rushed down the right wing side and flipped a pass to Smith who rifled the puck behind Everblades netminder, Justin Peters at 2:54 giving the Checkers a 1-0 lead. Later, while sporting a man-advantage, the Everblades Derek Damon found a loose puck in the crease and slammed it home tying the contest at 7:27. Less than twenty second later, Dusty Jamieson answer backed when he busted into the Florida zone and flipped a backhander beating Peters and recapturing the one goal advantage at 7:41.

The Everblades didn't waste time in the second stanza as they scored another power play goal when Ernie Hartlieb beat Checkers netminder Miika Wiikman, locking the contest at 2-2 at 1:32. The Checkers would regain a one goal lead when a point shot by Kenton Smith was stopped by Peters but, on the doorstep was forward, Blake Bellefeuille who knocked the rebound home at 10:50.

In the final period, Florida would tie the game again. This time, forward, Kyle McAllister found a loose puck in front and netted the Everblades third goal of the game, taking the game to a 3-3 tie. It looked like the Checkers would end things in regulation after winger, Chris Capraro blistered a shot from a bad angle that Peters thought he gobbled up, however; Lee Falardeau saw the puck was still free and knocked it in the net giving Charlotte a 4-3 lead at 18:11. With the goaltender Peters on the bench for the extra attacker, Florida's captain Ernie Hartlieb shot a backhander from the slot that found its way behind Wiikman at 19:04. Florida mounted their fourth comeback from one goal down and game headed to overtime.

Neither team was able to score in the extra session so things moved to a shootout in order to decide a winner. Damon, Mathieu Melanson, and David Cornacchia (winner) potted shootout goals for the Everblades but, the Checkers only managed goals from Nathan Gillies and Bellefeuille. This gave Florida the 5-4 victory.

Notes: Wiikman turned aside 26 of 30 shots...Peters stopped 26 of 30...Charlotte ended the game with 32 shots on goal while Florida had 31...The Everblades scored twice on nine power-play tries while the Checkers tallied one power play goal on eight attempts...

The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Nov. 23 against the Texas Wildcatters. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. The Checkers are accepting deposits on all ticket packages. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from November 16, 2007


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