CHECKERS SPOOK PHANTOMS 

VERSUS

CHECKERS SNEAK PAST PHANTOMS IN OVERTIME
Boychuk’s three point performance leads Charlotte to fourth straight win

Ex-Wolf Pack and NY Rangers first round pick, Bobby Sanguinetti scored 1:37 into the overtime frame as the Charlotte Checkers downed the Adirondack Phantoms, 4-3, on Friday evening in front of more than 7,500 fans.

With the win, Charlotte improves to 7-1-2 in the month of November.

Zach Boychuk led the offense for the Checkers, notching a goal and two assists to give him the team lead in points with 20 (8g, 12a). Mike Murphy made 38 saves for his fifth victory of the season and Chris Terry added two assists.

The Checkers were awarded a 5-on-3 power play, 12:37 into the game, and would not relinquish the opportunity. Oskar Osala’s initial shot was stopped by Phantoms goaltender Johan Backlund and Jacob Micflikier pounced on the loose puck to make it 1-0 Checkers. Terry picked up the secondary assist.

Boychuk doubled the Checkers’ lead at the 1:34 mark of the second period when he was sprung on a breakaway by defenseman Brett Carson. Boychuk made a nifty forehand-to-backhand move and slid it by a sprawling Backlund.

Matt Clackson pulled the Phantoms within a goal at 6:43 of the second period with a long shot that eluded Murphy. Greg Moore and J.P. Testuide drew assists on the play.

Eric Wellwood scored for Adirondack to make it 2-2 with 7 minutes remaining in the second period. Shane Harper fed Wellwood, who one-timed a shot from the slot past Murphy low glove side.

Bryan Rodney restored the one-goal lead for the Checkers, however, just three minutes later. Jerome Samson busted into the zone and took a shot from the slot. Rodney picked up the rebound at the side of the net and tucked it home for his first goal of the season.

Ben Holmstrom tied the game again, 2:20 into the third period, when he tipped an Erik Gustafsson point shot over Murphy’s right arm. Harper was awarded the second assist.

The two teams then went to overtime and it was Sanguinetti, who would end it for Charlotte. Boychuk stripped the puck from a defender behind the Adirondack net and made a pass to Sanguinetti in the slot. Sanguinetti took a quick wrist shot that found its way through Backlund and trickled over the goal line.

NOTES:

The Checkers are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and have won four in a row…Zac Dalpe has six goals in his last seven games while Jacob Micflikier has eight points in his last five games…Justin Pogge has won his last five decisions…Jerome Samson is currently tied for second in the AHL in goals, and leads the league in shots with 97.

Charlotte (10-7-3) will host Norfolk on Monday, Nov. 22 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Holiday packs are now on sale and include four games, a merchandise certificate and a puck for just $35. Head to www.gocheckers.com for more information or call 704-342-4423.

Adirondack Phantoms 3 at Charlotte Checkers 4 (OT) – Status: Final
Friday, November 19, 2010 – Time Warner Cable Arena

Adirondack 0 2 1 0 – 3
Charlotte 1 2 0 1 – 4

1st Period-1, Charlotte, Micflikier 8 (Osala, Terry), 14:36 (PP). Penalties-Micflikier Cha (hooking), 9:15; Holmstrom Adk (double minor – high-sticking), 10:54; Laliberte Adk (holding), 12:37.

2nd Period-2, Charlotte, Boychuk 8 (Carson), 1:34. 3, Adirondack, Clackson 1 (Moore, Testwuide), 6:43. 4, Adirondack, Wellwood 5 (Harper), 12:54. 5, Charlotte, Rodney 1 (Samson, Boychuk), 16:25 (PP). Penalties-FitzGerald Cha (tripping), 7:32; Bourdon Adk (holding), 14:30.

3rd Period-6, Adirondack, Holmstrom 4 (Gustafsson, Harper), 2:20. Penalties-Jordan Cha (high-sticking), 10:39.

OT Period-7, Charlotte, Sanguinetti 2 (Boychuk, Terry), 1:37. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 11-17-13-0-41. Charlotte 17-10-9-1-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 / 3; Charlotte 2 / 4.
Goalies-Adirondack, Backlund 3-9-0 (37 shots-33 saves). Charlotte, Murphy 4-4-2 (41 shots-38 saves).
A-7,591
Referees-Ian Croft (87).
Linesmen-Terry Wicklum (58), Mark Hamlett (81).