AHL Charlotte Checkers

More than 11,000 on hand for 6-2 win; Playoffs begin Thursday in Hershey

Published on April 9, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Checkers had six goals from six different scorers and downed the Worcester Sharks, 6-2, in front of 11,121 fans on Saturday evening.

Zac Dalpe recorded the game-winning goal for the Checkers, who also had goals from Michal Jordan, Brett Sutter, Brad Herauf, Matthew Pistilli and Chris Terry. Bobby Goepfert made 23 saves for the win in his first AHL start of the season. Jamie McGinn and Matt Irwin recorded the tallies for Worcester in a losing effort.

The Checkers got on the board first, at 16:49 of the first period, on a power-play goal by Jordan. The rookie defenseman took a wrist shot from the point that redirected off of a Sharks' player in front to beat goaltender Carter Hutton.

Charlotte took a 2-0 lead, at 6:25 of the second, with a goal by Sutter. The Calgary native battled through the defense and got his body on a rebound to force the puck into the back of the net.

Dalpe then gave the Checkers a three-goal advantage, midway through the second period. From the right-wing faceoff dot, the rookie center ripped a perfectly placed shot into a small window between Hutton and the crossbar.

McGinn scored late in the second period to cut the Charlotte lead to 3-1. The Shark winger accepted a pass from Patrick Davis and snapped a wrist shot over the glove of Goepfert.

The Checkers answered back with 16 seconds remaining in the second, on a tally by Herauf to make it 4-1. Jared Staal won the race to the puck behind the net and sent a backhanded feed out front to Herauf, who beat Hutton through the five hole.

Worcester closed to within two with a mid-third period goal by Irwin. Charlotte, however, tacked on a pair of late goals by Pistilli and Terry to bring the Checkers' total to six while Goepfert shut the door to hold on for the victory.

The Checkers (44-27-2-7) will open up the 2011 Calder Cup playoffs on Thursday, Apr. 14, when they take on the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center for games 1 and 2. Charlotte will return to Time Warner Cable Arena for games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) beginning on Tuesday, Apr. 19.

Checkers playoff tickets for the opening round against Hershey are now on sale. For playoff ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from April 9, 2011


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