CHECKERS JUMP OVER PHANTOMS 

VERSUS 

CHECKERS BURN PHANTOMS IN SHOOTOUT THRILLER
Murphy makes 37 saves; Boychuk scores winner in seventh round

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Zach Boychuk’s goal in the seventh round of the shootout was the difference as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Adirondack Phantoms, 3-2, on Saturday evening at Glens Falls Civic Center.

Chris Terry and Matt Pistilli scored in regulation for the Checkers (31-20-2-4) and Mike Murphy made 37 saves on 39 shots for his 14th win in his last 16 starts.

Michael Leighton made 26 saves on 28 shots in a losing effort for the Phantoms, who fell to 18-31-3-4 on the season.

Terry opened the scoring, just 10 seconds after Adirondack’s Matt Walker was flagged for the game’s first penalty at 12:12 of the first period. Boychuk out-muscled an Adirondack defender for the puck along the boards and fed Pistilli, who fired a pass over to Terry. Terry then snapped a quick shot past Leighton for the 1-0 lead.

Michael Ryan pulled the Phantoms even, 44 seconds into the second period, when he beat Murphy through the five-hole from the left-wing boards.  Mike Testwuide started the play with a breakout pass up the boards to Ben Holmstrom, who fed Ryan cross-ice.

The Phantoms carried the play into the third period with many good scoring chances but Murphy was solid and made several impressive saves to keep it a 1-1 game.

Charlotte’s luck would eventually run out as Eric Wellwood picked up a loose puck off a turnover at the net and beat Murphy with 1:59 left in regulation.

The Checkers, however, did not back down and came storming back. With Murphy on the bench for an extra attacker, Terry grabbed the puck and lobbed a shot high in the air toward Leighton. Pistilli was there to knock it out of mid-air and into the net, tying the game with 28 seconds to play.

After a scoreless overtime period, the teams went to a shootout. Drayson Bowman, Jacob Micflikier and Boychuk scored for the Checkers, while Murphy was exceptional and stopped five of Adirondack’s seven attempts to seal the win.

The Checkers (31-20-2-4) continue their road trip tomorrow in Hershey, P.A., by facing the Bears at 5:00p.m. Watch or listen live at www.AHLLive.com. The Checkers’ next home game is Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. when they host the Connecticut Whale (formerly Hartford Wolf Pack). For ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.GoCheckers.com.

Notes:

The Checkers are 5-0-0 against the Phantoms …Charlotte improves to 3-3 in shootouts…Mike Murphy has won 14 of his last 16 starts…Chris Terry has a goal and three assists in the last two games…Matt Pistilli’s goal was his first on the road with the Checkers.

Charlotte Checkers 3 (SO) at Adirondack Phantoms 2 – Status: Final SO
Saturday, February 19, 2011 – Glens Falls Civic Center

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

1st Period-1, Charlotte, Terry 21 (Pistilli, Boychuk), 12:22 (PP). Penalties-Walker Adk (tripping), 12:12.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Ryan 16 (Testwuide, Holmstrom), 0:44. Penalties-Micflikier Cha (tripping), 1:11; Rowe Adk (elbowing), 9:31.

3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Wellwood 12   18:01. 4, Charlotte, Pistilli 2 (Terry), 19:32. Penalties-FitzGerald Cha (cross-checking), 2:56; Matsumoto Cha (bench minor – interference), 5:00.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Charlotte 3 (Bowman G, Dalpe NG, Terry NG, Matsumoto NG, Rodney NG, Micflikier G, Boychuk G), Adirondack 2 (Hamel NG, Ryan G, Holmstrom NG, Wellwood NG, Pither NG, Moore G, Kalinski NG).
Shots on Goal-Charlotte 9-5-9-5-1-29. Adirondack 5-15-16-3-0-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Charlotte 1 / 2; Adirondack 0 / 3.
Goalies-Charlotte, Murphy 15-9-2 (39 shots-37 saves). Adirondack, Leighton 4-8-1 (28 shots-26 saves).
A-3,591
Referees-Geno Binda (22).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Mike Emanatian (69).