ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Gwinnett defeats Charlotte in shootout

March 19, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers were coming off a 1-3 loss against East Division rival Pee Dee Pride when they met the Gwinnett Gladiators Saturday night at Cricket Arena in front of 7,226 fans. The Checkers lost their third straight game with a 4-3 shoot out against the Gladiators. The last time Charlotte saw a four game winless streak was in November of 2004.

The Checkers dominated the Gladiators in the first. Charlotte out shot Gwinnett 9-3 and outscored them leaving them with a two goal deficit at the end of the period. Bogdan Rudenko shot the puck past Gladiator goaltender, Sean Fields, at 7:28 of the period. Exactly four minutes later, Juris Stals took the puck from Lee Falardeau and lit the red light for his 10th goal of the season.

Gwinnett rose to the challenge in the second. A roughing penalty from Steve MacIntyre gave Gwinnett a one man advantage, allowing Mike Vigilante to score at 4:56 of the period. 23 seconds later Peter Flache received a pass from Brad Schnell to tie the game at 2-2.

In the third, the Checkers forged ahead of the Gladiators at 14:21 of the period with Stals second goal of the game. It seemed as though the deal was sealed, but Gwinnett's miracle came with one second left in the period. Vigalante, with help from Kris Goodjohn, tied the game at 3-3 and sent the teams in to overtime.

After a scoreless five minute overtime, Charlotte and Gwinnett faced each other in a shootout. Jason Dawe had one goal for the Checkers, but it was not enough. Gwinnett's Jeff Campbell and Rick Emmett each faced Checkers goaltender, Alex Westlund, and came away with a goal. Gwinnett, in turn, came away with the shootout win.

The Checkers host the Florida Everblades Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m. Charlotte is 1-2 against Florida this season. Charlotte then hits the road to face the Columbia Inferno Friday, March 25.

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ECHL Stories from March 19, 2005


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