ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers stopped in shootout by Gladiators

November 24, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, N.C. - The Checkers battled the Gwinnett Gladiators today to a 3-2 shootout loss.

In the first period, after Checkers goaltender, Len DiCostanzo made an excellent save on a Lou Dickenson breakaway, the Checkers took advantage of the momentum they gained. Kaleb Betts took a shot on goal and the rebound went right to the slot where captain, Blake Bellefeuille buried the puck past Gladiators goalie Dan Turple at 6:06.

In the second period, the only goal came after DiCostanzo was whistled for playing the puck in a restricted area. During the Gladiators power play, Mike Hamilton found the puck in the slot and rifled it in the net tying the contest at 1-1 at 16:57. Later, the Gladiators received a penalty shot because Checkers forward, Patrick Bordeleau was called for delay of game after he closed his hand on the puck in the Checkers crease, however; Any Brandt was unable to beat DiCostanzo and the game remained tied after forty minutes.

In the final period of regulation, Brandt fired a shot on net and the rebounded squirted right to the stick of Bryan Dobek who scored the Gladiators second goal of the contest putting them up, 2-1. The game looked like it was over when suddenly, after the Checkers pulled DiCostanzo for the extra attacker, defenseman Mark Smith pinched in from the blueline and blasted the puck in the net with three seconds remaining on the game clock. This tied the game at 2-2 and sent it to overtime.

No one was able to score in the extra session despite a power play opportunity for the Gladiators and a short-handed breakaway for Lee Falaredeau. In the shootout, the Gladiators would get goals from Derek Nisbitt and Mike Vigilante (winner) while the Checkers could only managed to beat Turple once in the form of Jordan Owens.

The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Nov. 30 against the Columbia Inferno. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers will enter their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena this fall. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $399. The Checkers are accepting deposits on all ticket packages. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from November 24, 2007


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