SHARKS DEFENSE STYMIES CHECKERS IN 2-0 WIN
Machesney makes 34 saves to earn second shutout in five games

WORCESTER, Mass. – Led by a 34-save shutout from former South Carolina Stingray Daren Machesney and two unanswered goals, the Worcester Sharks defeated the Charlotte Checkers, 2-0, at DCU Center on Saturday evening.

The win improves Machesney’s record to 2-2-1 since getting called up from the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals and both of his wins with Worcester have come by virtue of a shutout. Kevin Henderson and Tommy Wingels were the Sharks’ goal scorers, while defenseman Sean Sullivan recorded assists on both markers.

The Checkers’ league-leading offense propelled 27 shots over the final two periods, but was unable to crack Machesney, while Mike Murphy made 27 saves on 28 shots in defeat.

The game-winning goal was scored by Henderson, who broke a 0-0 tie by scoring a deflection goal at 12:15 of the first period. Andrew Desjardins won a faceoff in the Charlotte zone back to the point to Sean Sullivan, whose one-timer was deflected by Henderson past Murphy.

The Checkers nearly tied the game with just less than two minutes left in the third period, when Oskar Osala executed a backhand-to-forehand deke while on a breakaway. Machesney, however, made a diving save to keep it 1-0.

Wingels then added an empty-net goal seconds later to ice a 2-0 Worcester victory.

The Checkers (34-22-2-6) finish their three-game road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Atlantic Division leading Manchester Monarchs at 3:00 p.m. Charlotte will return home on Tuesday, Mar. 8 to host the Binghamton Senators. For ticket information, call 704-342-4423 or visit www.gocheckers.com.

For every ‘like’ the Checkers get on their Facebook page between now and Apr. 1, the team will donate $2 to Zach Bennett and his family, who plan to move to Charlotte for better medical care. Visit www.gocheckers.com for more information or head to www.facebook.com/charlottecheckers.

Notes: Jon Matsumoto played his 300th AHL game...Two of Charlotte’s last three games have ended by 1-0 scores…Charlotte is 14-5-0-2 in the second game of back-to-backs.
 
Charlotte Checkers 0 at Worcester Sharks 2 - Status: Final
Saturday, March 5, 2011 - DCU Center

Charlotte 0 0 0 - 0
Worcester 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period-1, Worcester, Henderson 6 (Sullivan, Desjardins), 12:15. Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McLaren Wor (interference), 15:32; Boychuk Cha (interference), 16:44.

3rd Period-2, Worcester, Wingels 11 (Sullivan), 18:52 (EN). Penalties-Matsumoto Cha (delay of game), 5:04; Irwin Wor (cross-checking), 6:44.

Shots on Goal-Charlotte 7-13-14-34. Worcester 12-6-12-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Charlotte 0 / 2; Worcester 0 / 2.
Goalies-Charlotte, Murphy 19-11-3 (29 shots-28 saves). Worcester, Machesney 2-2-1 (34 shots-34 saves).
A-4,386
Referees-Jeff Smith (49).
Linesmen-Ed Boyle (81), Bob Paquette (18).