CHARLOTTE, NC – The Lake Erie Monsters took a 2-1 series lead on the season when they beat Charlotte 3-2 in a shootout. Both teams had few scoring opportunities during regulation with the Checkers having a slight shooting advantage 22-21.
Bobby Sanguinetti opened the scoring for Charlotte in the second minute of the first period with his seventh goal of the season. The Monster’s David van der Gulk tied the game six minutes later. The game stayed at 1-1 until the third period when Luke Walker put the Lake Erie side a head. It looked as if the Monsters had done enough to win but Charlotte came back with Nicolas Blanchard scoring the tying goal, his seventh of the season.
In the shootout Charlotte’s Justin Shugg, Matthew Pistilli, Zac Dalpe and Chris Terry were kept at bay by Monsters goalie Gerald Coleman, who finished with 20 saves. Mike Murphy in the Checkers goal made 18 saves on his return to action.
This was the second shootout in as many games for both teams and the third loss in a row in shootouts for Charlotte, their season record in now 5-5. Charlotte killed off four Monster power play attempts while Lake Erie missed out on five.
The teams meet again Sunday March 4, face-off 3pm. Charlotte should have Zach Boychuk back for the return match, he has been reassigned from the Hurricanes.
EddieMitchell@ProHiockeyNews.com
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