POGGE BACKSTOPS CHECKERS TO 3-1 VICTORY 

VERSUS

POGGE BACKSTOPS CHECKERS TO 3-1 VICTORY
Charlotte undefeated in regulation in last six games

Justin Pogge made 41 saves and the Charlotte Checkers put together a full team effort as they downed the Norfolk Admirals, 3-1, in the second game of a home-and-home series on Saturday. With the win, the Checkers are now undefeated in regulation in their last six games (3-0-3).

Pogge was named the game’s first star and stopped 20 shots in the second period alone. Zac Dalpe scored a goal and added an assist while Zach Boychuk scored the game winner early in the second period. Chris Terry extended his point scoring streak to four games (3g, 2a).

Dalpe opened the scoring for the Checkers at the 13:06 mark of the first period when he banged home a rebound. Oskar Osala took a shot from the slot that was stopped by Admirals goaltender Dustin Tokarski. The rebound created a goal-mouth scramble that Dalpe capitalized on for his first goal as a Checker. Bobby Sanguinetti earned the secondary assist.

Just over a minute later, Alex Berry would answer for Norfolk to tie the game up at 1-1. After Pogge made the initial save on a shot, Berry was in the right place at the right time and was able to slide the puck under the Charlotte netminder’s right pad.
Boychuk gave the Checkers a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal at the 3:08 mark of the second period. Chris Terry made a perfect cross-ice feed to Drayson Bowman, who fired a wrist shot on goal. Boychuk, who was screening Tokarski, had the puck hit his mid-section and deflect into the net for his sixth goal of the season.
Pogge kept the Admirals at bay for most of the game. Two minutes after the Checkers took the lead, Chris Durno sprung in on a breakaway and seemed to have a sure goal but Pogge stuck his glove out and made an impressive save. He continued to stymie Norfolk’s forwards and gave up very few second-chance opportunities.
Terry was given a chance to extend the Checkers’ lead, early in the third period, when he was awarded a penalty shot. Terry made a good shoulder fake on Tokarski, but whistled a snap shot wide of the net.
Fortunately for the Checkers, the missed penalty shot did not come back to haunt them as Jacob Micflikier would extend the Checkers lead to two goals at the 11:16 mark of the third period. Dalpe took a shot from the left-wing circle that Tokarski kicked out to the slot and Micflikier made no mistake.

The Checkers (5-6-3) will host the defending champion Hershey Bears tomorrow at 3 p.m. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4423 or by visiting www.gocheckers.com.

Notes:

Chris Terry extended his point scoring streak to four games (3g, 2a)…Zack FitzGerald leads the AHL in penalty minutes (71 minutes).

Charlotte Checkers 3 at Norfolk Admirals 1 – Status: Final
Saturday, November 6, 2010 – Norfolk Scope

Charlotte 1 1 1 – 3
Norfolk 1 0 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Charlotte, Dalpe 1 (Osala, Sanguinetti), 13:06. 2, Norfolk, Berry 1 (Labrie, Pouliot), 14:07. Penalties-Vernace Nor (tripping), 0:19; Mihalik Nor (delay of game), 1:14; Osala Cha (hooking), 1:21; FitzGerald Cha (fighting), 5:28; Gudas Nor (fighting), 5:28; Wright Nor (interference), 15:52.

2nd Period-3, Charlotte, Boychuk 6 (Bowman, Terry), 3:08 (PP). Penalties-Angelidis Nor (high-sticking), 1:54; Blanchard Cha (roughing), 10:00; Terry Cha (hooking), 10:12; Labrie Nor (roughing), 12:42; Boychuk Cha (slashing), 18:03; FitzGerald Cha (boarding, fighting), 19:47; Berry Nor (fighting), 19:47.

3rd Period-4, Charlotte, Micflikier 4 (Dalpe), 11:16. Penalties-Staal Cha (tripping), 15:42.

Shots on Goal-Charlotte 9-11-8-28. Norfolk 12-20-10-42.
Power Play Opportunities-Charlotte 1 / 4; Norfolk 0 / 6.
Goalies-Charlotte, Pogge 3-4-0 (42 shots-41 saves). Norfolk, Tokarski 3-2-0 (28 shots-25 saves).
A-4,690
Referees-Steve Patafie (85).
Linesmen-Scott Pomento (25), Tom George (61).