Checkers Edge Sound Tigers 2-1
March 16, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Mar. 16, 2011) - Chris Terry scored Charlotte's lone goal in regulation and had the game-winning tally in the fourth round of the shootout as the Checkers defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 at Webster Bank Arena on Wednesday night. With the win, Charlotte improves to 37-23-2-6. The Sound Tigers earn a point with the shootout loss and now stand at 22-36-3-6.
The two sides combined for 21 shots in the opening frame, but neither side was able get on the board. The Sound Tigers had the majority of the chances, including three opportunities on the power play. However, Charlotte's penalty kill held strong and the first period ended scoreless.
The Sound Tigers would take advantage of their next power-play opportunity to earn a 1-0 lead. After Benn Olson laid a hard hit into Zack FitzGerald, Checkers forward Zach Boychuk cross-checked Olson to give the Sound Tigers the man-advantage. Tic-tac-toe passing led to an easy goal, starting with Rakhshani above the left circle with one-time pass to Hisey below the right circle. Hisey's one-time pass found Jeremy Colliton all alone above the Charlotte crease, and the Sound Tigers assistant captain tapped the puck into the open net for his 13th goal of the season to put Bridgeport up 1-0 at 10:16 of the period.
Charlotte evened the score with their own power-play tally less than two minutes later. The Checkers found themselves on a 5-on-3 as Ty Wishart and Dustin Kohn took penalties for interference and high-sticking just 12 seconds apart. Boychuk's shot from the slot was stopped by Joel Martin and Zac Dalpe's rebound attempt was denied, but Chris Terry found the loose puck above the crease and fired it past Martin to tie the game at one. The score remained tied at one headed to the third period and eventually to overtime, as the Sound Tigers mustered just three third-period shots and Charlotte pressured but Martin came up with big saves to force overtime. Each side had opportunities in the overtime as well, including a breakaway chance for Zach Boychuk and a point blank opportunity for Ty Wishart, but both players fired high as the Sound Tigers and Checkers were destined for a shootout.
Rhett Rakhshani scored in the first half of the third round to put Bridgeport ahead 1-0 in the bonus round, but Jacob Micflikier answered in the bottom of the third round, and Terry's backhander in the fourth round was the difference as it snuck between Joel Martin's pads and barely across the goal line. Justin DiBenedetto was the last hope for the Sound Tigers but his attempt sailed over the net, and Charlotte came away with the hard-fought 2-1 win.
Mike Murphy made 30 saves to earn his 20th win of the season for the Checkers. Joel Martin had 27 saves in the loss.
The Sound Tigers continue their four-game homestand on Friday night as they close out their two-game series with Charlotte at Webster Bank Arena at 7 p.m.
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