ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Stingrays top Checkers

Published on April 10, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers wrapped up their 72-game regular season with a loss to East Division rivals the South Carolina Stingrays 5-6 in a shootout in front of 6,965 fans at Cricket Arena. The Checkers finish the regular season (39-27-6) overall and (3-3-2) against the Stingrays.

The Checkers peppered Stingrays goalie Justin Eddy with shots throughout the first period, outshooting South Carolina 20-7. Charlotte's Bogdan Rudenko drew first blood at the 10:03 mark when he fielded a pass from Ryan Glenn and came streaking in for the score. Less than three minutes later, Glenn notched his second assist of the period when he fed Jason Dawe for a lamp-lighter.

In the waning moments of the first period, the Stingrays Brad Parsons snuck a Trevor Johnson pass behind Checkers goalie Alex Westlund to end the period 2-1. Charlotte is 18-2-1 when leading after the first.

The Stingrays momentum continued as Robin Gomez notched a score just 1:48 into the second period. The Checkers answered at 17:33 when Kenton Smith led the charge down the ice. In a textbook play, Smith hit Bogdan Rudenko who fed Lee Falardeau for the bell-ringer. The Checkers retired the second period up 3-2 but with 3:23 still left to serve on Eddie Pershin's double minor for high-sticking.

With Pershin serving out the remainder of his penalty in the third, Stingray Ed Courtenay took a pass from Matt Reid at 3:17 of the period to tie the game 3-3 . A 1:35 later, Glenn shot the puck past Eddy to once again put the Checkers ahead of the Rays. Thomas Bellemare gave the Checkers a two goal lead at 10:54 but South Carolina answered quickly, scoring just 65 seconds later to make the score 5-4. With tensions running high Ryan Cuthbert and South Carolinas Reid threw off their gloves and engaged in a major ice scuffle. Both received five minute majors for the fist fight. With four minutes left in the period Stingrays Rich Peverley tied up the game at 5-5 and sent the two teams into overtime.

At the end of a scoreless 5:00 minute overtime session, Charlotte and South Carolina engaged in a shootout. Westlund made three saves before missing a Joe Tenute puck. Cuthbert had one shoot out goal, but the Stingrays came out on top with a Mark Ardelan shot. The Checkers received one point for ending regulation with a tied score and remain in third place in the East Division.

The Checkers are seeded seventh in the playoffs and will begin their quest for the Kelly Cup in Columbia Wednesday, April 13th at 7:30 against the Inferno. A second game will follow on Friday, April 15th in Columbia. On Saturday, April 16th, the Checkers will return home to play the third game in the series against the Inferno. Tickets may be purchased at the Cricket Arena box office, the Coliseum box office or may be charged by phone by calling Ticketmaster at 704-522-6500.

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ECHL Stories from April 10, 2005


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