CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Checkers are back on track after four consecutive defeats. At Time Warner Cable Arena last night they overcame the Chicago Wolves 4-2. The game started with the Wolves completely dominating the first period, out-shooting the Checkers 14-2.
The Wolves went ahead with two goals from Victor Oreskovich in the first 20 minutes, resulting in goaltender Mike Murphy being replaced by John Muse. This was only the second time Muse had appeared in the AHL, the first time this season.
Muse, a two-time National Championship winner with Boston College certainly sparked Charlotte, they got back in the game when Matt Pistilli scored on a power play in the second. Charlotte then turned the game on its head in the third period with Zach Boychuk, Jon Matsumato and Jerome Samson finding the Chicago net.
The Checkers have struggled in the power play department in the last several games yet tonight three of the four goals came from a power play situation. Defensively in the second and third periods Charlotte was much more determined with Brett Bellemore and Justin Krueger working overtime to support Muse.
Murphy, who on the previous evening had an excellent game, was unlucky with a difficult shot that bounced awkwardly then was caught on a two-on-one break. His replacement, Muse, was voted by the fans as the games “Roll Up Your Sleeves Hardest Worker of the Game,” an award Murphy had won the evening before.
Now that Charlotte has steadied the ship they can focus on the last two games before Christmas against the Oklahoma Barons on December 19 and 21. The team then has a nine-day break before resuming with a road trip to Rockford and Chicago.
EddieMitchell@ProHockeyNews.com
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