ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers win thriller in overtime 5-4

Published on December 9, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Blake Bellefeuille turned in a hat trick, scoring the game-winner in overtime to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 5-4 overtime win against the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night in front of 6,977 fans at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Bellefeuille's three goals came on a short-handed breakaway at the 00:22 mark of the second period, a power play goal at the 8:41 mark of the second period and the game winner came with the teams at even strength at the 3:23 mark of overtime. This was Bellefeuille's first hat trick of the season and the second by a Checkers player this season (Hugh Jessiman on 11/6).

The Checkers started the scoring with a power play goal by Rory Rawlyk. The team would trade goals until South Carolina scored back-to-back goals coming late in the second period and early in the third period to give the Stingrays a 4-3 advantage. The Checkers knotted the score at 4-4 with a goal from Mike Bayrack at the 13:24 mark of the third period.

Charlotte out-shot South Carolina 49-28 in the contest and scored on 3-of-8 power play chances while South Carolina converted on 2-of-5.

Al Montoya picked up the win in his first game with the Checkers. Montoya was reassigned to the Checkers by their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, on a conditioning assignment following a stint on the injured reserve due to a broken ring finger on his glove hand.

The Checkers (10-8-1) are back in action tomorrow night as they travel to Pensacola to face the Ice Pilots. The Checkers will return home next week for games on Wednesday and Friday against Columbia and Florida, respectively. For more information, or tickets, call the Checkers Front Office at 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from December 9, 2005


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