Checkers stunned by Florida 4-3 in overtime
January 6, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
(Fort Myers, Florida) The Charlotte Checkers lost another heart breaking game to the Florida Everblades Saturday night in Fort Myers, Florida. After losing 9-7 the night before against Florida, the Checkers (17-14-2 for 36 points) totally turned their game around Saturday night and had a two-goal lead late in the third period. But two Everblades goals in a nine-second span tied the contest and forced the game to overtime. Reggie Berg's goal 1 minute, 4 seconds in the extra session gave Florida (22-10-0 for 44 points) a stunning, come-from-behind 4-3 overtime victory over the Checkers. A bad bounce off a skate and a rare miscue by Charlotte goalie Alex Westlund allowed Florida back into the game.
Charlotte dominated the contest and built a 3-1 advantage until the two lightning-like Florida goals. The Checkers also outshot the Everblades 35-32. The Checkers have one win in the last 11 regular-season trips to Germain arena dating back to the 2003-04 season. This season Charlotte has yielded 20 goals against the Everblades in its last three meetings with Florida, losing 7-1 in Charlotte, and 9-7 and 4-3 in Fort Myers.
"It's very tough to take not winning this game tonight," remarked Checkers Coach Derek Wilkinson. "We did all the things we wanted to do tonight and played great except for about two minutes. We still continue to make mental mistakes and aren't bearing down enough with the game on the line. It's been a couple of very frustrating games."
Florida drew first blood in the first period on a two-man advantage power play, as Van Buskirk blistered a slapshot top shelf by Westlund at 3:07 for a 1-0 advantage. Midway through the period Hugh Jessiman scored for the Checkers to tie the game at 1-1.
Charlotte had the only tally of the second period as the Checkers took a 2-1 lead. Bryan Rodney's shot from the point hit Florida goalie Craig Kowalski, and then bounced up in the air and floated into the net.
Charlotte got what they had hoped would be an insurance goal eight minutes into the final period, as Daymen Rycroft scored for a 3-1 advantage. Adam Taylor got credit for the second Florida goal at 13:32 when it bounced off Zdenek Bahensky's skate. Nine seconds later Brett Nasby's shot from just inside the Charlotte blueline somehow eluded Westlund, and the game was suddenly tied at 3-3. After the two Florida goals tied the game, Berg got around Rodney on a two-on-two rush and then beat Westlund for the game-winner.
The Checkers will conclude their three-game road series with the Everblades Tuesday night at 7:30 at Germain Arena in Fort Myers. Charlotte's next home game is Thursday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m. when it will host the Columbia Inferno at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. The Checkers will also be at home the following night, Friday, January 12 to entertain the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 7:30 p.m.
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.
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