CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte gained a valuable point against the Hershey Bears in a game that they should have won. This was the second night in a row that the Checkers had more of the game than the opposition but came out on the losing side.
In the first period, Charlotte had a Zach Boychuk goal disallowed; the referee had blown his whistle for an infringement. Later in the first Bobby Sanguinette, who had two assists on the night, crashed in to the Hershey goalpost and had to leave the ice. He did return for the second period.
The third was an all action period with Charlotte going a head on a power-play with a goal by Justin Shugg, who beat Bears goalie Dany Sabourin with a shot that went into the roof of the net. Under two minutes later Charlotte made it 2-0 when Zac Dalpe jumped on a rebound from an effort by Sanguinetti.
The Bears came roaring back, scoring two goals very quickly, with the previous evening’s scorers Ryan Potulny and Cody Eakin doing the damage to get Hershey on level terms.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score in the third and during overtime with Mike Murphy in the Checkers goal doing outstanding work to keep the game tied. The game then went to a shoot-out with Hershey’s Garrett Mitchell breaking the deadlock. Hershey wins 3-2.
The point earned by Charlotte puts them in a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference with Rochester Americans and Peoria Rivermen all with 75 points. Toronto Marlies with 83 points and the Chicago Wolves with 79 head the division.
Charlotte stays on the road this week visiting Grand Rapids on March 30, and Peoria Rivermen on March 31.
EddieMItchell@ProHockeyNews.com
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