ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Graham Gives Checkers Win In Overtime Over Sea Wolves

February 12, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Biloxi, Miss.- It was the third time this season the Checkers played an overtime game against the Sea Wolves at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and it was the third time they scored a game winning goal in the extra session winning 5-4 on an Ethan Graham shot 29 seconds in.

Checkers forward David Rutherford struck on the power play for the only goal of the first period. Michel Leveille found a streaking Rutherford in the high slot and Rutherford made no mistake beating Mississippi goaltender Ryan Munce over the glove at 18:50 putting Charlotte up, 1-0.

During the second period, the Checkers were awarded with a two-man advantage and Mike Bayrack made sure his team capitalized when his one-timer sailed into the net at 2:45. The Checkers extended their lead to 3-0 after Julien Brouillette slammed home a rebound past Munce on a Kenny Smith shot at 8:53. Mississippi would finally tally a goal and they would do it while short-handed. Checkers defenseman Chris Murray couldn't handle a pass on his own blueline resulting in a breakaway by Jason Tejchma. Tejchma's band-hand shot flipped over the pad of Checkers netminder Jeff Jakaitis at 9:55 bringing the game to a 3-1 lead for Charlotte after forty minutes.

The Checkers went up 4-1 after Brad Ralph scored on the power play at 10:57 and it looked like the game out of reach for Mississippi until the home team struck for three goals in the final period of regulation. First it was Ryan Cruthers beating Jakaitis at 10:57 followed up one minute and nine seconds later by defenseman Chris Zarb tally bringing the contest to 4-3. Misssissippi tied the contest during a two-man advantage late when Jeff Kyrzakos tipped a Kyle Peto shot from the point into the net at 18:37.

The Checkers wouldn't take long to end the game in overtime when Ethan Graham flipped the puck from the slot over the glove of Munce 29 seconds into the extra session giving Charlotte a 5-4 win.

The Checkers are playing their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next home game takes place on Feb 17 against the Florida Everblades at 7 P.M. start. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are in their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now with full-season packages starting at just $396. For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 12, 2009


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