CHARLOTTE, NC – The Checkers chalked up their sixth win in a row against Peoria in a game that was scrappy and disjointed. The 5-4 final result gives Charlotte the most points in the AHL and a season record of 8-3-0-1.
Two goals from Zach Boychuk, the second being the winner were added to by Drayson Bowman, Zac Dalpe and Jeremy Welsh. Justin Peters in the Charlotte goal made 34 saves, this being his third win in a row. He now has a season record of 5-1-1.
The second period was wild with Peoria’s Cody Beach hitting Bobby Sanguinetti in the head with his elbow. Sanguinetti left the ice to return a few minutes later. However he did not appear for the third period. Marc-Andre Gragnani was also injured and will miss the return game Friday. Beach received a match penalty that means he is suspended pending the league reviewing the situation.
The eventful second period also saw a five-on-one situation for Peoria with Peters and Brett Bellemore defending like crazy to keep Charlotte’s nose in front, the score was 2-1 at the time. Then the Rivermen equalized then went ahead to go in at the buzzer 3-2 up.
Welsh put the Checkers level again with a shot from the boards that somehow found its way into the Peoria goal. Charlotte then went 4-3 up with a goal from Bowman; this was his tenth goal of the season. Almost immediately Peoria tied the game with Brett Sonne beating Peters, the score 4-4.
Zach Boychuk scored the winning goal in overtime his fourth winner of the season. He now leads the AHL in scoring. This was his seventh goal in 12 games.
Friday evening the Checkers face the Rivermen again.
Eddie.Mitchell@ProHckeyNews.com Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
