Checkers need overtime but sting South Carolina with 5-4 win
Published on October 30, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Charleston, South Carolina - Saturday, October 29, 2005) The Checkers blew a two-goal third period lead but recovered in sudden-death overtime to pull out a 5-4 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays Saturday night at the North Charleston Coliseum. Phil Aucoin's power play goal with just 32 seconds left in overtime gave Charlotte its third victory in its first four games, all on the road. Juris Stals scored a pair of goals for the Checkers while Rory Rawlyk and Luke Stauffacher added single tallies. Charlotte rookie goalie Bernd Bruckler won his second game of the season making 31 saves, while Stingrays goalie Maxime Daigneault suffered the loss with 31 saves.
"It really was an ugly game for both teams with lots of mistakes,"Â quoted Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "Give our guys credit, they found a way to win but we still have some areas we need to shore up. Bruckler played well tonight and made some big saves for us."Â
The Checkers grabbed a 1-0 lead on a power play at 5:35 of the first period as Rawlyk's shot from the center point beat Daigneault. Aucoin and Stals added assists.
South Carolina then tied the game with the Checkers on a power play. Robin Gomez beat Bruckler on a short-handed breakaway to tie the game at 1-1 at 12;23 of the first period.
The Stingrays took the lead in the second period on a power play with Bryan Rodney in the penalty box. Jeff Legue tucked in his own shot past Bruckler on the doorstep at 11:51 for a 2-1 advantage.
In the third period Charlotte came alive by scoring three goals in less then three minutes to assume a 4-2 lead. Stals started the scoring at 3:21 with his first goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 when he banged the puck off Daigneault's shoulder on a power play. Stals scored again at 5:05 as the Checkers re-captured the lead at 3-2. Stauffacher notched his first tally of the game and third in two games as rammed home Dusty Jamieson's rebound for a 4-2 Checkers advantage at 6:16.
South Carolina wasn't finished however, as it scratched its way back to tie the game and send the contest to overtime. J.F. David brought the Stingrays to within one at the 10:00 mark of the third period with his second goal of the season. For the second straight night, the Checkers gave up the lead in the final minute of the contest. With Charlotte on the power play, David broke around the Checkers defense and fired a shot that was stopped by Bruckler. However, Legue knocked home the rebound for a short-handed goal with just 53 seconds left to tie the game at 4-4.
The Checkers enjoyed three power plays in the sudden-death overtime session, and finally cashed in with 32 seconds remaining on Aucoin's first goal of the season for the 5-4 win.
The Checkers raised their record to 3-0-1 for seven points, while the Stingrays fell to 1-1-2 for four points. Charlotte will closes out its season-opening five-game road trip next Saturday once again facing the Stingrays in Charleston.
HOME OPENER: The Checkers will stage their home opener at the new St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on Sunday, November 6 at 5:00 PM when they'll host South Carolina Stingrays.
ECHL Stories from October 30, 2005
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- Aces drop 2-1 OT verdict to Bakersfield - Alaska Aces
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