Checkers stage incredible comeback in 6-3 triumph at Columbia
November 16, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Columbia, South Carolina - Tuesday, November 16: The Charlotte Checkers staged what may be the most incredible, all-time comeback in team history, erasing a 3-0 third-period deficit with six unanswered goals for a 6-3 victory Tuesday night at Columbia.
Lee Falardeau had a hat-trick and Rory Rawlyk scored a pair of goals for the Checkers in the astonishing third-period comeback. Charlotte goalie Kelly Guard made 25 saves and remained undefeated at 4-0-0. The Checkers also improved their road record to a sparkling 5-1-0.
After a somewhat listless first two periods, the Checkers came alive after Falardeau's first goal. Even Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson wasn't exactly sure what led to the sudden turnaround. "I'm not sure exactly what happened," quoted Wilkinson. "We did talk to the guys between the second and third periods and asked them to pick up the intensity. One thing I do know...these guys never quit. The Pershin, Falardeau and Helminen line was terrific."
The Inferno grabbed a 1-0 first-period lead as former Checkers forward Walker McDonald took a pass from Matt Ulwelling from behind the net and gently guided the puck past Guard at 4:08. The Checkers had three power plays but could not convert on any. The Inferno also out-shot Charlotte 12-5 in the first 20 minutes.
In the second period Charlotte picked up the pace but was still unable to score. Meanwhile the Inferno increased its lead to 2-0 with the same combination. Ulwelling won a face-off in the Checkers zone, drawing it back to McDonald who rifled his second goal of the game by Guard at 6:16 for a 2-0 lead. The Checkers and Inferno each had eight shots in the second period.
After an early third-period goal by Columbia's Ryan Campbell and a 3-0 Inferno lead, the Checkers began to mount their comeback. At 4:61 Falardeau rammed home the puck in a goal-mouth scramble. The Michigan State grad tallied
again at 5:50 to cut the Inferno lead to 3-2. Enter Rawlyk who deflected a shot in by Chris Belanger at 9:38 to tie the game at 3-3. Rawlyk then blasted in the go-ahead goal from the high slot at12:31 on a power play for the Checkers first lead of the game at 4-3. Falardeau finished off his hat-trick at 16:51 for some helpful insurance, before Mike Harder's empty-net goal with 36 seconds left in regulation to complete the 6-3 comeback.
The win enabled the Checkers to improve to 7-2-1 for 15 points including 5-1-0 on the road and a share of first place in the ECHL's Eastern Division of the American Conference. Columbia fell to 3-5-3 for nine points. Charlotte continues its' four games in five nights schedule this week on Wednesday night at Cricket Arena when it hosts the Texas Wildcatters at 7:00 p.m.
The Checkers record fell to 6-2-1 for 13 points, while the Grrrowl improved to 3-6-0 for six points. Charlotte will return to Cricket Arena Wednesday to host the Texas Wildcatters at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available now through the Charlotte Checkers office by calling (704) 342-4ICE, through all TicketMaster locations, or on line through _www.TicketMaster.com.
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