ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers netminder saves win with several stops in final minute

February 10, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Checkers were clinging to a late 4-3 lead and they leaned on their goaltender Maxime Daigneault in the final minute. Daigneault wouldn't disappoint and kept the South Carolina Stingrays at bay giving Charlotte a 4-3 win.

The Checkers got the scoring started in the first period when Chris Capraro tallied a goal during a penalty shot as he wristed a shot past Stingrays netminder Jonathan Boutin blocker side at 11:08. Charlotte wouldn't hold a lead for long as the Stingrays got on the board at 15:22 when Maxime Lacroix beat Checkers netminder Maxime Daigneault when he slammed home a rebound after the goalie stopped the initial attempt by Michael Dubuc. This tied the contest and both teams would skate away locked 1-1 after twenty minutes.

During the second period, the Stingrays would capture their first lead of the contest when Trent Campbell was the recipient of a lucky bounce off a Checkers stick. Campbell lifted the puck past a sprawling Daigneault at 8:10 putting his team up, 2-1. Capraro would make sure the Checkers wouldn't be down for long as he tallied a power play goal during a man-advantage. Jeff Miles sent a pass right to the stick of Capraro who roofed the puck over the glove of Boutin at 10:13. Miles would assist on the ensuing Checkers goal after he took a sharp angle shot on the Stingrays goalie and the rebound went right to Brad Ralph who kept his point streak in tact by shoveling the puck between the pads of Boutin at 15:39. As the period ended, the Checkers skated off with a 3-2 lead.

The third period saw another goal scored for the Checkers on the power play. Forward Michel Leveille blasted a shot from the high slot that rolled between the legs of Boutin and in at 14:10 putting the Checkers up 4-2. Despite a late goal from South Carolina by Nate Kiser at 15:55, Checkers goalie Daigneault made two game-breaking saves in the final minute to ensure a 4-3 victory.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next home game takes place on Feb. 17th against the Florida Everblades at 7 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 in 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.

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ECHL Stories from February 10, 2009


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