AHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Hold Off Reading In 5-4 Shootout Win

Published on February 5, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, NC– February 4, 2003: The Charlotte Checkers squandered a three-goal lead twice in regulation, but came away with a 5-4 shootout win over the Reading Royals Tuesday night at Cricket Arena. Dave Inman and Kevin Caulfield scored in the shootout for the Checkers while Charlotte goalie Scott Meyer stopped all Royals shooters except Brandon Dietrich. In regulation the Checkers got a one goal, two assist performance from David Evans, while Brandon Cullen chipped in with a goal and an assist. Inman and Caulfield scored the other Charlotte goals.

"We obviously would have liked to have won in regulation but the guys worked hard and we got two points," commented Checkers Head Coach Don MacAdam. "With a three-goal lead halfway through the third period, you'd think we could hold on to that. Scott Meyer was once again phenomenal in the shootout. Reading's got two of the league's top scorers and he stopped them both."

Caulfield commented on the just-completed three-game series with the Royals. "It was a real physical series with so much on the line. Even when they tied the game late tonight, we worked hard hoping to pull it out. Miezie (Scott Meyer) has been our MVP since he came here in December and he was great again tonight."

For the fourth consecutive home game Charlotte vaulted out to a 2-0 lead. Just 1:09 into the game the Inman took a pass from Allan Egeland and beat Royals goalie Jeff Sanger for a 1-0 lead. Charlotte's third line scored the next two goals for a 3-0 Checkers first period advantage. Cullen took a pass from behind the net from Evans and scored his eighth of the season at 5:21 for a 2-0 lead. At 8:10 the Checkers made it 3-0 as this time Evans was set up by Cullen for his ninth of the campaign. Charlotte totally dominated the period, outshooting Reading 16-3.

The Royals finally broke through on the power play at 15:34 of the second period when Brad Rooney beat Meyer short side to narrow the Checkers advantage to 3-1 after forty minutes.

In the third period at 1:25 Caulfield gave the Checkers their three-goal lead right back on setups from Evans and Craig Weller. Reading kept fighting back as Simon Tremblay scored at 9:25 to allow the Royals to once again pull within two of the Checkers at 4-2. The Royals scored again at 15:42 as Rooney scored his second of the night to cut the Charlotte lead to only one at 4-3. With only 1:46 left in the game and the Checkers on the power play, the Royals scored a short-handed goal by Steve Rymsha to tie the game at 4-4. After a scoreless, five-minute, sudden-death overtime dominated by the Checkers, Charlotte finally prevailed in the shootout.

The win allowed the Checkers to escape the cellar in the tough Northeast Division for the first time since October 26, and improved their record to 24-20-2 for 50 points. Charlotte is now in sixth place in the division, just one point out of fifth place and five points out of fourth place. The Royals picked up a point in the shootout loss and are currently in sixth place at 24-22-3 for 51 points.

The Checkers continue their seven-game homestand Friday night when they begin an important two-game weekend series with the Trenton Titans.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2003


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