ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers send Everblades back to Everglades

January 8, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – After coming off a 5-goal offensive explosion Friday night against Columbia, the Charlotte Checkers (18-13-2) hoped to keep the ball rolling at home against the Florida Everblades (19-13-2). Thus far, the Checkers have stumbled against the Everblades, trailing the season series 0-2-0 and suffering their first and only shutout to Florida goalie, Rob Zepp, on New Year's Day. Nonetheless, these two division leaders came into tonight's game grappling for their share of first place in the American Conference.

In the first period, the Everblades came out of the gates with a physical attack, dominating the Checkers early between the blue lines. The Checkers responded quickly, stepping up their play in the neutral zone, but were unable to capitalize late in the first with a two-man power play advantage against the league's worst penalty killers. The score was knotted 0-0 at the end of the first period, with the Everblades outshooting the Checkers 10-9.

Florida came out blazing again, outshooting the Checkers 6-1 in the first seven minutes of the period. The Everblades' Damain Surma capitalized on a Brad Church pass for a power play goal at the 7:04 mark. Again, the Checkers were unable to convert their only power play opportunity of the period. The Checkers couldn't be held at bay for long as Paul Lynch crossed to an unmarked Ryan Lang (7) for the one timer at the 16:01 mark. The goal reinvigorated the Checkers attack, and Charlotte went on to outshoot Florida 8-1 in the final five minutes of the period.

Third period fireworks gave the 6,176 Charlotte fans a roller coaster ride as Charlotte and Florida went tit for tat scoring three goals apiece in including Rory Rawlyk finding Mike Wirll (5,6) twice and Lee Falardeau (11) once for his three assists of the period. Florida's Damain Surma proved a worthy opponent tallying an assist and his second goal of the game. After Charlotte managed a two goal lead late in the period, Florida rallied to net two straight including Kris Vernarsky's goal with only :37 ticks left to send the game into overtime.

The Everblades and Checkers remained in a stalemate in overtime until Florida's Ryan Brinley was called for hooking with 55 seconds left to play in the extended period. Florida's penalty killing woes continued as Charlotte's Juris Stals fed Kenton Smith the game winner with :34 seconds left in overtime.

The Charlotte Checkers improve to 19-13-2 while the Florida Everblades move to 19-13-3 with a 1 point advantage for first place in the American Conference. The Checkers' next home game is Wednesday, January 12, against the Augusta Lynx. Face off is set for 7:00 pm at Cricket Arena.

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