CHARLOTTE, NC—The Charlotte Checkers scored two power-play goals but could not stop the league-leading South Carolina Stingrays as they were defeated 4-2 in North Charleston on Saturday night.
The Checkers have now dropped four straight to the defending champs after earning points in the first three matchups (2-0-1).
Kenny Roche scored his sixth goal in seven games and Michel Leveille returned to the lineup from injury, adding an assist.
South Carolina opened the scoring on the power play just over four minutes into the game as Keith Johnson took a shot from the left slot that beat Munce over the catcher.
The Checkers would tie it up thirteen minutes into the second period on a power-play goal by Kenny Roche. Mike Taylor fired a shot off the right pad of Stingrays goaltender Todd Ford and Roche was there to bang home the rebound.
Early in the third period, South Carolina scored two goals 30 seconds apart to take a 3-1 lead. On a turnover at the Checkers’ offensive blueline, Matt Scherer grabbed the puck, cut to the middle of the ice and beat Munce low-blocker side. Trent Campbell then broke in alone, took a shot and stuffed home his own rebound for the two-goal lead.
With less than four minutes to play, Charlotte attempted another late-game comeback as Tyler Doig beat Ford with a wrist shot on the power play. The goal came at the 15:52 mark and was assisted by Leveille and Steve Ward.
The celebration wouldn’t last long, however, as the Stingrays iced the game just 34 seconds later on a goal by Matt Fornataro.
Todd Ford stopped 33 of 35 shots for the victory and Ryan Munce turned aside 26 in a losing effort for the Checkers.
The Checkers (14-9-4-0) will once again host the Stingrays on Sunday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com
Notes: Tyler Doig has eight points in his last eight games…Kenny Roche has six goals in his last seven games, including two game-winners…the Checkers are 7-2-1 in their last nine home games…T.J. Reynolds leads all ECHL defensemen with 116 penalty minutes and 12 fighting majors and leads the Checkers with a +14 rating…Derek Couture remains on loan to Hartford, Daniel Tkaczuk is with Syracuse, Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Trevor Glass, Codey Burki and Aaron Slattengren are on the 21-day injured reserve.
Charlotte Checkers 2 At South Carolina Stingrays 4 - Status: Final
Dec 19, 2009 - North Charleston Coliseum
Charlotte 0 1 1 - 2
South Carolina 1 0 3 - 4
1st Period-1, South Carolina, Johnson 12 (Kashirsky, Godfrey), 4:35 (pp). Penalties-Reynolds Chr (hooking), 3:58; Cascalenda Sc (tripping), 13:59.
2nd Period-2, Charlotte, Roche 14 (Taylor, Slattengren), 13:00 (pp). Penalties-Snavely Chr (tripping), 1:51; Marshall Chr (cross-checking), 5:07; Godfrey Sc (holding), 11:24; Kroll Sc (hooking), 16:44; Carroll Chr (holding), 18:15.
3rd Period-3, South Carolina, Scherer 8 (Ricci), 2:22. 4, South Carolina, Campbell 6 (Farrell), 2:52. 5, Charlotte, Doig 7 (Leveille, Ward), 15:52 (pp). 6, South Carolina, Fornataro 14 (Hauswirth, Godfrey), 16:26. Penalties-Reynolds Chr (fighting - major, game misconduct - aggressor), 9:16; Bruess Sc (holding), 15:33.
Shots on Goal-Charlotte 11-13-11-35. South Carolina 10-12-8-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Charlotte 2 of 4; South Carolina 1 of 5.
Goalies-Charlotte, Munce 5-4-1-0 (30 shots-26 saves). South Carolina, Ford 15-4-0-1 (35 shots-33 saves).
A-4,328
Referees-Tim Mayer (11).
Linesmen-Mathieu Chenier (71), Paul Reid (97).
