VERSUS 
LATE GOAL BOOSTS CHECKERS OVER DEVILS
Murphy stops 26 of 28 for fourth straight win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Brett Bellemore’s goal with less than four minutes to play was the difference as the Charlotte Checkers edged the Albany Devils, 3-2, in front of more than 8,000 fans at Time Warner Cable Arena Sunday.
Jon Matsumoto and Brett Carson recorded the Checkers’ other two goals and Mike Murphy was strong between the pipes stopping 26 of 28 shots for his fourth straight victory.
Brad Mills and Steve Zalewski scored for Albany while goalie Dave Caruso made 29 saves for his second solid outing in as many nights.
Midway through the second period, Albany struck first with a goal from Mills. After constant pressure in the Charlotte end, Rob Davison blasted a slapshot from the point that Mills redirected past Murphy.
Charlotte finally broke through to tie the game, 1-1, with 30 seconds remaining in the second period. While shorthanded, Chris Terry drove down the left-wing boards, out-skated the defense and fed Matsumoto in front for the goal.
At 3:08 of the third period, Carson gave the Checkers their first lead of the night on a slapshot from the point. Riley Nash swept the puck up the right-wing boards where the 6-foot-4 defenseman hammered it over the glove of Caruso.
The lead was short-lived as Albany drew the game even at 2-2, less than three minutes later, on a power-play goal by Zalewski.
The Checkers, however, took a 3-2 lead with 3:38 remaining in regulation at the hands of an unlikely candidate. Jumping up into the play, Bellemore received a pass from Zach Boychuk and sniped a wrist shot past Caruso off the far post.
With 46 seconds remaining, Albany pulled Caruso in favor of an extra attacker, but couldn’t find the equalizer as the Checkers held on for a 3-2 victory.
The Checkers (30-18-6) host the Devils for the rubber match in the three game series on Tuesday at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.
NOTES: Brett Carson is on a three-game point streak (2g, 2a)… Jon Matsumoto has seven points (4g, 3a) in the last five games… Drayson Bowman has three goals in his last four games…Mike Murphy has won his last four starts.
Albany Devils 2 at Charlotte Checkers 3 – Status: Final
Sunday, February 13, 2011 – Time Warner Cable Arena
Albany 0 1 1 – 2
Charlotte 0 1 2 – 3
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Letourneau-Leblond Alb (misconduct), 10:25; Herauf Cha (tripping), 12:25.
2nd Period-1, Albany, Mills 6 (Davison, Henrique), 9:30.2, Charlotte, Matsumoto 16 (Terry, Carson), 19:30 (SH). Penalties-Urbom Alb (holding), 2:11; McKenzie Cha (interference), 5:32; Micflikier Cha (tripping), 10:20; McIntyre Alb (tripping), 15:44; Dodge Cha (interference), 18:23.
3rd Period-3, Charlotte, Carson 4 (Nash), 3:08.4, Albany, Zalewski 6 (Wiseman, Magnan), 5:46 (PP).5, Charlotte, Bellemore 2 (Boychuk, Dodge), 16:22.Penalties-Pistilli Cha (slashing), 4:53; Anderson Alb (boarding), 7:20; Murray Alb (interference), 12:16.
Shots on Goal-Albany 10-13-5-28. Charlotte 8-11-13-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 5; Charlotte 0 / 4.
Goalies-Albany, Caruso 2-4-0 (32 shots-29 saves). Charlotte, Murphy 14-9-2 (28 shots-26 saves).
A-8,169
Referees-Ian Croft (87).
Linesmen-Paul Carnathan (93), Mark Hamlett (81).
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