CHECKERS BURNED BY DEVILS

VERSUS   

DEVILS BURN CHECKERS, 4-3, IN OVERTIME
More than 12,000 on hand; Teams to meet again tomorrow

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Adam Henrique scored in overtime as the Albany Devils came from behind to defeat the Charlotte Checkers, 4-3, in front of 12,236 fans at Time Warner Cable Arena Saturday.

Rob Davison, David McIntyre and Steve Zalewski also had goals for Albany while goalie Dave Caruso stopped 27 Charlotte shots.

Zac Dalpe, Drayson Bowman and Jacob Micflikier scored for Charlotte. Justin Pogge was solid in net for the Checkers and turned away 23 of 27 shots.

Albany broke the scoreless tie, midway through the first period, with a goal from Davison. The veteran defenseman took a slapshot from the point that deflected off of a stick and bounced over Pogge.

Just 1:23 into the second period, the Checkers answered back with a goal by Bowman. Matthew Pistilli forced a Devils turnover, moved in on a two-on-one and slipped a pass to Bowman for the goal.

Minutes later, the Devils took a 2-1 lead when McIntyre collected an errant pass in the Checkers zone and beat Pogge glove-side.

With the momentum in the Devils’ favor, FitzGerald dropped the gloves with Albany enforcer Louis Robitaille. FitzGerald’s performance in the bout changed the momentum of the period.

The Checkers drew even at 2-2 with a power-play goal from Micflikier. Brett Carson snapped a wrist shot from the high slot that Micflikier tipped past Caruso.

Charlotte took their first lead of the night at 17:32 of the second when Dalpe blasted a one-timer from the point for the Checkers’ second power-play goal in 1:33.

The Checkers had a prime opportunity to take a two-goal lead when Nicolas Blanchard was awarded a penalty shot. Blanchard took the puck wide, made a backhand-to-forehand move, but couldn’t jam the puck through Caruso.

With less than four minutes to play, Albany’s newly acquired centerman Steve Zelewski tied the game at 3-3, forcing extra time.

Midway through the overtime period, Henrique forced a turnover at the Checkers blue line, moved in on Pogge and snapped a shot through the five-hole to give Albany the 4-3 victory.

The Checkers (29-18-6) will look to avenge their loss when they host the Devils again tomorrow (3 p.m.) and Tuesday (7 p.m.). For ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.

NOTES: Jacob Micflikier’s assist gives him 200 career professional points… Jerome Samson has nine points (3g, 6a) in the last four games…Drayson Bowman has three goals in his last three games… The Checkers have power-play goals in ten of the last 11 games.

Albany Devils 4 (OT) at Charlotte Checkers 3 – Status: Final OT
Saturday, February 12, 2011 – Time Warner Cable Arena

Albany 1 1 1 1 – 4
Charlotte 0 3 0 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Albany, Davison 3 (Anderson, Kelly), 10:50. Penalties-Letourneau-Leblond Alb (charging), 6:37; Urbom Alb (roughing), 15:47; Herauf Cha (roughing), 15:47.

2nd Period-2, Charlotte, Bowman 8 (Pistilli), 1:27. 3, Albany, McIntyre 8   5:30. 4, Charlotte, Micflikier 21 (Carson, Samson), 15:59 (PP). 5, Charlotte, Dalpe 16 (Rodney, Micflikier), 17:32 (PP). Penalties-Davison Alb (kneeing), 2:45; Bellemore Cha (tripping), 7:27; Robitaille Alb (fighting), 9:59; FitzGerald Cha (fighting), 9:59; Robitaille Alb (misconduct – abuse of officials), 11:12; Davison Alb (roughing), 13:51; Letourneau-Leblond Alb (high-sticking), 13:51; Herauf Cha (roughing), 13:51; Gionta Alb (tripping), 15:45; Urbom Alb (interference), 16:28; Murray Alb (fighting), 18:22; Bellemore Cha (fighting), 18:22; Micflikier Cha (tripping), 19:34.

3rd Period-6, Albany, Zalewski 5 (Gionta, Wiseman), 16:12. Penalties-FitzGerald Cha (elbowing), 5:00; Letourneau-Leblond Alb (roughing, roughing), 7:35; Mills Alb (fighting), 7:35; Murray Alb (roughing), 7:35; Bowman Cha (fighting), 7:35; Nash Cha (roughing), 7:35.

OT Period-7, Albany, Henrique 14   3:12. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Albany 11-7-8-1-27. Charlotte 8-8-14-0-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 3; Charlotte 2 / 7.
Goalies-Albany, Caruso 2-4-0 (30 shots-27 saves). Charlotte, Pogge 15-11-2 (27 shots-23 saves).
A-12,236
Referees-Curtis Marouelli (58).
Linesmen-Ben Shiley (21), Mark Hamlett (81).