Checkers Storm Back For 5-2 Win
Published on January 29, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
JOHNSTOWN, PA- The Charlotte Checkers spotted the Johnstown Chiefs two goals and stormed back for the 5-2 win on Friday night in Western Pennsylvania. With the win, the Checkers improve to 3-0-0 against the Chiefs and 6-0-0 against East Division teams this season.
Andrew Carroll led the charge with two goals, including the game-winner while Tyler Doig, who was returned from Hartford (AHL) earlier in the day, added a goal and two assists. Miika Wiikman stopped 28 of 30 shots for his ninth win of the season. The Swedish netminder has only one regulation loss in his last 13 starts.
Johnstown drew first blood, just over two minutes into the contest, on a fluky goal from 100 feet out. Chiefs defenseman Jonathan Ralph let go a slap shot from the red line that fooled Wiikman and dipped just under the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.
The Chiefs would take a two-goal lead near the end of the period when Connor Shields, stationed in the slot, took a pass from Bryan Marshall and lifted the puck past Wiikman on the blocker side for the shorthanded tally.
For the second game in a row, the Checkers headed to the locker room after 20 minutes down by two goals and came out in the second period looking to turn the tide.
Midway through the second period, David Marshall notched his second goal in as many games to cut the Johnstown lead to 2-1. Defenseman Ethan Graham threw a bomb of a pass to Marshall, who then snuck past the opposing defenders and skated in alone on Chiefs goaltender John Murray. Marshall then slipped the puck between the legs of Murray for his 10th of the season.
Charlotte then tied the game, with less than three minutes to play in the period, when Aaron Slattengren banged home a rebound from a Matt Schepke wrist shot.
The Checkers did not stop there and took their first lead of the game with 38 seconds to play in the frame. Michel Leveille dished a pretty pass over to Carroll who beat an out-of-position Murray for his team-leading 19th of the season.
Charlotte held the 3-2 lead for the first three quarters of the third period before Carroll added another. Doig centered a pass from the wing that was redirected by Carroll past the blocker of Murray, putting the Checkers ahead 4-2 and giving Carroll the third-highest goal total among all ECHL rookies.
Doig then added some insurance, with less than two minutes left, when he fired a slap shot over the shoulder of the Johnstown netminder.
The Checkers killed a late penalty and cruised to a 5-2 victory, their first of the season north of Charlotte.
The Checkers (23-14-5) will continue their northern road trip in Reading tomorrow before returning home on Thursday, Feb. 4 to host the Florida Everblades Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
ECHL Stories from January 29, 2010
- Steelheads top Bakersfield - Idaho Steelheads
- 10,020 Watch Grizzlies Fall In Wild One - Utah Grizzlies
- Checkers trump Chiefs - Johnstown Chiefs
- Second straight with eight: Jackals rout Gladiators - Elmira Jackals
- Everblades Down Devils, 5-4 - Florida Everblades
- Checkers Storm Back For 5-2 Win - Charlotte Checkers
- Cyclones Drop Defending Champs In OT, 3-2 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Stingrays Fall to Cyclones 3-2 in Overtime - South Carolina Stingrays
- Gladiators Crushed by Jackals - Atlanta Gladiators
- Wranglers Sign Pollastrone; Las Vegas Adds Former UNH Forward - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Everblades Lose Two to the American Hockey League - Florida Everblades
- Salmon Kings' Petruic Loaned To Binghamton - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Game Preview: Condors Vs. Idaho - Bakersfield Condors
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Victoria Salmon Kings - Stockton Thunder
- Goaltender Berkhoel Reassigned To Wheeling - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Colbert Called-Up To Worcester - Kalamazoo Wings
- Travis Rycroft Returns To Grizzlies For Weekend - Utah Grizzlies
- Royals Sign Forward Chase Watson - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Begin Road Trip With Stop In Cincinnati - South Carolina Stingrays
- Cyclones, Gwinnett Complete Deal For Mike McLean - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Gladiators Receive McLean From AHL Milwaukee - Atlanta Gladiators
- Jackals Game Preview: Elmira Vs. Gwinnett - Elmira Jackals
- Defenseman Yeo Returns From Hershey - South Carolina Stingrays
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