Checkers Win In Overtime Over Gladiators, 5-4
January 17, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Charlotte, N.C. - The Checkers would tie the game with less than a minute to go and win it in overtime as Matt Waddell scored the game winning goal giving Charlotte a 5-4 victory over the Gwinnett Gladiators.
It took just 32 seconds into the contest for Blake Bellefeuille to put Charlotte up by a goal. Defenseman Kenny Smith skated down the right wing side and slid a pass over to Bellefeuille who found the twine behind Gladiators goalie Dan Turple. Gwinnett didn't have to wait long to tie the contest. It was Matt Anderson wristing a shot that beat Checkers netminder Chris Holt the following shift at 1:11 tying the contest at 1-1. Holt would withstand a barrage of shots in the remainder of the period stopping 18 of 19 after 20 minutes.
Gwinnett would capture their first lead of the game after a face off win inside Checkers territory. Mike Hamilton fired the puck off the glove of Holt and the Checkers goalie couldn't control the bouncing puck as it rolled over the goal line at 1:10. It was the newest member of the Checkers, Jeff Kyrzakos who would assist on the tying goal on a delayed penalty against the Gladiators. Kyrzakos streaked down the right wing boards and put the puck onto the tape of Ryan Murphy who tapped it in at 9:02.
Gwinnett recaptured their one goal advantage after Holt made a great save off a Lou Dickenson one-timer but tte rebound went to Jeff Mason would slam it home at 5:28 putting the Gladiators up 3-2. The visiting team would strike soon thereafter when a rebound off an Anderson shot went right to the stick of Hamilton who scored his second of the game at 6:58 giving the Gladiators a 4-2 lead. Charlotte wouldn't go out without a fight and it was Dusty Jamieson burying a loose on puck a Ryan Constant point shot while stationed in the Gwinnett crease at 17:05 slashing the Gwinnett lead to 4-3. With less than thirty seconds left in the contest, Chris Capraro would tie the game with a blistering wrist shot that sailed over the glove of Turple at 19:37.
The Checkers would secure the victory after Mike Bayrack fed defenseman Matt Waddell who directed the puck past a sprawling Truple at 1:16 of overtime.
Notes: Holt turned aside 36 of 40 shots while Turple stopped 32 of 37... Charlotte had six power play chances and scored once while Gwinnett went scoreless on seven attempts.
The Checkers are in their 15th season of play as a member of the ECHL. Their next home game takes place on Jan. 11 against the Augusta Lynx. In the team's 14-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 10 times including three consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their third season of play at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $175. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from January 17, 2008
- Former Gladiator Pelletier Made NHL Debut with Boston Tonight - Atlanta Gladiators
- Gladiators fall in OT 5-4 to Checkers - Atlanta Gladiators
- Farynuk Recalled To Springfield - Stockton Thunder
- Checkers Win In Overtime Over Gladiators, 5-4 - Charlotte Checkers
- Salmon Kings' Ash Goldie Named National Conference Alternate Captain - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Las Vegas' Ferraro, Texas' McNabb Named All-Star Captains - ECHL
- McNabb Named Captain of All-Star Squad - Texas Wildcatters
- Garlock To Replace Imbeault In Stockton - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- B2 Networks Broadcasts 2008 Chase Chevrolet ECHL All-Star Game Skills Competition - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Support Jeneece & Friends Coin Drive For Variety - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Royals and U.S. Army Bring Back 'Battle of the Badges' For Round Three - Reading Royals
- Aaron Slattengren signs PTO with Providence in the AHL - Augusta Lynx
- Johnstown's Garlock, Elmira's Kudelka Replace Imbeault, Rodney On American Conference Roster - ECHL
- Kudelka Named To Replace Rodney On American Conference Squad - Elmira Jackals
- 2004 ECHL All-star Game Had Six Players Reach NHL - ECHL
- Fresno Falcons Launch Read At The Rink 2008, February 2 Book Drive - Fresno Falcons
- Pink in the Rink Features Pink Jerseys, Raffles and Silent Auction - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Slip Past Condors - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Cichocki gets milestone win, Fisher's 44-save effort outduels Moreland - Stockton Thunder
- Condors come back in third, but fall in OT - Bakersfield Condors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
