(photo credit: John Wright)

NORFOLK, Va. – Rookie forward Riley Nash recorded a hat trick as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Norfolk Admirals, 5-3, in their first ever American Hockey League exhibition game.
 
Nash opened the scoring in the first period before adding two third-period goals, including the eventual game-winner. Former first-round pick Zach Boychuk and Finnish forward Oskar Osala rounded out the scoring for Charlotte.
 
Bobby Goepfert stopped 10 of 12 shots to earn the victory for the Checkers after entering the game in the middle of the second period, while Mike Murphy played the first half of the game, stopping 16 of 17. Jaroslav Janus made 21 saves in a losing effort for Norfolk. 
 
The two teams will battle again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or at the Extreme Ice Center front desk.

The Checkers’ home opener is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets for the inaugural 2010-11 AHL season are now on sale and season ticket packages start as low as $10 per game. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.