ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Columbia rallies for 4-3 OT win over Checkers

Published on October 29, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


(Columbia, South Carolina - Friday, October 28, 2005) The Columbia Inferno scored with 17 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and then won it in sudden-death overtime in a 4-3 triumph over the Charlotte Checkers Friday night at the Carolina Coliseum. Justin Aikins goal 3:14 into the overtime gave the Inferno the come-from-behind victory, as Columbia never lead in the game until scoring the game-winner.

Luke Stauffacher scored twice for the Checkers in his first professional game, while Dusty Jamieson notched the other Charlotte goal. Goalie Jeff Glass suffered his first loss for the Checkers making 34 saves, with Columbia netminder Chris Houle picking up the win with 30 saves.

"I thought we played well tonight despite the outcome," remarked Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson. "We got a good start in the first period and got a 2-0 lead. We didn't do as well in the second period but had the lead until the final minute of the game. Jeff Glass played well in goal for us and their goalie (Chris Houle) was great as well."

The Checkers stormed out of the gate and took the play to the Inferno in the first period, building a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes. Jamieson gave Charlotte a 1-0 advantage on a short-handed, breakaway goal at 2:24. The Checkers made it 2-0 at 5:20 when Stauffacher rammed home a Jamieson shot from in close. Columbia sliced the Charlotte lead to one as Mike Stathopoulos scored on a two-on-one short-handed chance at 17:39, and the teams went to the locker room after one period with the Checkers leading 2-1.

In the second period at 10:43 the Inferno tied the game on a bad bounce. The puck was being cleared around the boards deep in the Charlotte zone when it took a crazy bounce and came right to Nick Greenough, who easily put the puck into the open net. Charlotte regained the lead at 16:46 when Stauffacher scored his second of the night, blasting a shot by Houle from the top of the right wing circle for a 3-2 Checkers lead.

Charlotte held the 3-2 advantage until the final minute of regulation, when Columbia tied the game with a six on four advantage. With the Checkers Dan Girardi in the penalty box and Houle pulled for a sixth attacker, the Inferno's Mike Stathopoulos knocked in the tying goal with 17 seconds remaining in the third period. Aikins goal in overtime kept the Inferno undefeated in regulation at 3-0-1 for seven points. The Checkers are still unbeaten in regulation and earned a point for the overtime loss, and now stand at 2-0-1 for five points.

The Checkers will continue their five-game, season-opening road trip Saturday night playing the South Carolina Stingrays in Charleston, South Carolina at 7:00 PM.

HOME OPENER: The Checkers will stage their home opener at the new St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on Sunday, November 6 at 5:00 PM when they'll host South Carolina Stingrays.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from October 29, 2005


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.

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