Checkers go to 4-1 on the road with 4-3 victory over South Carolina
November 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Charleston, SC) A pair of goals from right wing Rick Kozak, and the return of forward Jakub Petruzalek from an American Hockey League assignment sparked the Charlotte Checkers to a 4-3 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night in Charleston. Kozak's second goal of the night at 14:23 of the third period proved to be the game winner, and came just 21 seconds after the Stingrays had tied the game at 3-3.
Petruzalek, just back from a short stint with the Checkers AHL affiliate in Hartford, notched two assists while Charlotte's leading scorer Mark Lee, also chipped in with two helpers. Zdenek Bahensky snapped an eight-game pointless streak with his first goal since opening night, while Blake Bellefeuille notched his fourth lamp-lighter of the campaign.
Checkers goalie Chris Holt won his fourth straight with 28 saves to raise his record to 5-1-0. Davis Parley took the loss in net for the Stingrays with 25 saves. Cail MacLean also scored twice for South Carolina.
"It was a good win for us tonight," remarked Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "We haven't played as many games as the rest of the teams in our division so they've got their legs more than we do right now. Rick Kozak broke through tonight with a pair of goals and Chris Holt was solid again between the pipes."
Charlotte started quickly as Bahensky rifled a shot by Parley in the slot off a beautiful feed from Petruzalek for a 1-0 Checkers advantage just 3:44 into the game. South Carolina's Chris Chaput and the Checkers Bellefeuille traded goals later in the period to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes.
Three minutes into the second period the Checkers went up 3-1, as Kozak's blazing shot from the right circle found its way to the back of the net. MacLean would tip in a shot past Holt at 12:43 to cut the Charlotte lead to 3-2 at the second intermission.
In the third period with Kenny Smith off for interference, MacLean scored his second of the night at 14:02 on the power play to knot the score at 3-3. Charlotte would re-capture the lead just 21 seconds later as Bahensky shoveled the puck out in front to Kozak who jammed home the game winner.
The Checkers victory raised their overall record to 7-3-0 for 14 points, and improved their road record to 4-1-0. South Carolina's record dipped to 7-5-1 for 15 points.
The Checkers return home Saturday night to host the Gwinnett Gladiators at Charlotte Bobcats Arena at 7:30 p.m. Charlotte has lost nine straight games to the Gladiators dating back to last season. "We play the Gladiators in three of our next four games and we're certainly due for a win against them," said Wilkinson.
Saturday night's home game against Gwinnett, will be "Redneck Hockey Night" sponsored by Hardees. The first 2000 fans entering the arena will receive a free, Checkers "Truckers Cap" compliments of Hardees, the home of the Thickburger..
Sunday the Checkers are also home to host the South Carolina Stingrays at 4:00 p.m. on "Family Fourpack Day." For $ 44.00, fans can receive four game tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas. A Checkers team post-game autograph session and post-game skate on the Charlotte Bobcats Arena ice is also open to all fans.
Tickets for all Checkers home games can be purchased on the official team web site at www.gocheckers.com, on the telephone by using a credit card and calling 1-800-495-2295, or by visiting the Charlotte Bobcats Arena box office.
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