Checkers snap two-game skid with 4-3 OT win over rival Stingrays
February 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Charleston, South Carolina - Friday, February 16) The Charlotte Checkers gained a valuable two points Friday night by defeating their division rivals, the South Carolina Stingrays, 4-3 in sudden-death overtime at the North Charleston Coliseum. Bruce Graham led the way for Checkers with a hat trick, while Charlotte goalie Chris Holt had a strong outing with 36 saves. Hugh Jessiman also chipped in with two assists for the Checkers, and Captain, Jan Vodrazka, set up a goal and played smart hockey to help Charlotte snap a two-game losing streak. The Stingrays gained a point for the overtime loss, and only hold a one point edge over the Checkers for the fifth and final playoff spot in the ECHL's Southern Division of the American Conference. Charlotte (26-18-1-2 for 55 points) also improved their record against the Stingrays (26-18-1-3 for 56 points) to 5-2 in the 11-game season series.
"The guys did a lot of things that we asked them to do tonight," remarked Charlotte Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We worked on a lot of things and talked to the guys in practice this week, and it was great to see the players respond. We really need Bruce (Graham) to score goals and he really came through tonight. I also thought Chris Holt played outstanding. The only minor negative was not being able to hold on and win in regulation but I'm very happy to get the two points."
The Checkers went to lunch- pail hockey to score two first-period goals to assume a 2-1 lead after the first 20 minutes. With the Checkers on the power play Jessiman set up Graham right in front of South Carolina goalie, Davis Parley, and Charlotte's leading goal scorer deked twice before back-handing the puck into the open net at 3 minutes, 48 seconds for a 1-0 lead.
The Stingrays tied the game on a power play at 11:18 when Cail MacLean fired a shot to the Checkers goal mouth and saw it deflect in off Holt. But the Checkers regained the lead late in the period as Graham cleaned up Daymen Rycroft's rebound at 16:33.
The Checkers scored the second period's only goal at 12:56 when Lee Falardeau tipped in Vodrazka's blast from the point for a 3-1 Charlotte lead.
South Carolina came back in the third period to tie the game, as the Checkers were unable to hold their two-goal advantage. The Stingrays cut the Charlotte lead to 3-2 five minutes into the third as MacLean scored his second goal on the night. Five minutes later Checkers defenseman, Kirk DeWaele, fell down in his own zone, allowing Evan Schwabe to break in alone on Holt and score to knot the game at 3-3.
There was no further scoring in regulation, as the game went to the five-minute sudden-death overtime session. Two minutes into overtime, Graham fired home the rebound of Mark Lee's shot to give Charlotte the 4-3 victory.
The Checkers continue their three-games in three-day road trip Saturday night in Augusta where they'll meet the Lynx at 7:30 p.m. The road trip concludes Sunday at 4:00 p.m. when Charlotte will meet the Gwinnett Gladiators in Duluth, Georgia. The Checkers next home game is Thursday night when they'll entertain the Toledo Storm at 7:00 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Thursday's home game will help raise funds for the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte.
CHECKERS FRIDAY NIGHT SCRATCHES: Dusty Jamieson, Rick Kozak, Blake Bellefeuille, and Bryan Rodney.
ON RECALL TO HARTFORD: Alex Westlund and Corey Potter. FOR BOX SCORE CLICK: http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1498
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.
ECHL Stories from February 16, 2007
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