ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers drown Sea Wolves in OT

October 25, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers still haven't played with a lead in two games against the Sea Wolves but it didn't matter on Saturday night as they scored the tying goal with 24 seconds left and the game winner 55 seconds into overtime.

The first period saw both goalies make sparkling saves and stifling the offense of both teams leaving a scoreless first period.

The scoring started almost immediately in the middle stanza as Sea Wolves forward Mark Rooneem scored on a breakaway attempt on Checkers netminder Jeff Jakaitis at the 21 second mark putting Mississippi up 1-0. The Sea Wolves tallied a 2-0 lead when Ryan Cruthers blasted a one-timer from the slot between the legs of Jakaitis at 4:51. Charlotte would slash the Sea Wolves lead in half when forward Matthew Ford was awarded a penalty shot and scored glove side on Sea Wolves netminder Jeremy Duschesne. The Checkers tied the contest during a two-man advantage when Peter Tsimikalis rifled a one-timer from the point past Duschesne on the nice feed from Mike Bayrack at 17:57. Another penalty shot would prove to be a big moment as Kyle McAllister was awarded a chance at the 18:16 mark of the period. McAllister made a nice move and beat Jakaitis to recapture a one-goal advantage by a score of 3-2.

During the third period, the Checkers tied the contest on a short-handed breakaway by Andreas Jamtin at 2:19 locking the game at 3-3. Mississippi would again go ahead by a goal after a turnover by the Checkers on their blueline resulted in a shot by Mathieu Melanson that fooled Jakaitis at 15:45. Things looked bleak for Charlotte but it was Mike Bayrack who tied the game with just 24 seconds left as his shot floated through traffic and past Duschesne.

In overtime, hard work along the boards by Checkers forward Tomas Zaborsky allowed him to send a pass to Mike Taylor who directed a shot over the right pad of Duschesne at :55 of overtime.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Opening night will take place on Halloween against the Augusta Lynx at a special 8 p.m. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are entering their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $396. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 25, 2008


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.

OurSports Central