CHARLOTTE, NC—The Charlotte Checkers spotted the Florida Everblades two power-play goals and could not bounce back as they were defeated 3-0 on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 10,000 at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Ryan Munce stopped 45 of 47 and the Everblades scored two power-play goals on 15 opportunities.
In a reversal of roles, Florida spoiled the Charlotte fans’ chances of throwing stuffed animals on the ice as part of “Teddy Bear Toss Night” by blanking the home team. On Dec. 12 in Florida, the Checkers shut out the Everblades, 3-0, ruining the chance for fans in Fort Myers to toss their bears.
The Checkers fell behind with less than five minutes to play in the first period. Florida cycled the puck down low in the Charlotte end before Mathieu Roy took a shot at Munce and Matthew Pistilli was there to bang home the rebound for his first of the season.
Early in the second period, the Everblades appeared to go ahead by two but the goal was disallowed as it was ruled that the puck was kicked in.
Florida would, however, take a two-goal lead with six minutes to play in the second period, again on the power play. Ross Carlson took a pass on the goal line from Ernie Hartlieb and tucked it home on the short side past Munce.
Charlotte pressed in the third period and threw 13 shots at Florida goaltender Mike Morrison, however they were unable to solve the former NHL netminder. The Everblades would add an empty-net goal and walk away with the 3-0 victory.
The Checkers (15-10-4-0) will travel to South Carolina tomorrow before returning on Sunday, Jan. 3 to host Gwinnett. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com
Notes: Ryan Munce ranks second among all ECHL goaltenders with a .922 save percentage…Tyler Doig has 11 points in his last 10 games…Kenny Roche has six goals in his last nine games, including two game-winners…the Checkers are 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games…T.J. Reynolds leads all ECHL players with 124 penalty minutes, leads all ECHL defensemen with 12 fighting majors and leads the Checkers with a +16 rating…Derek Couture remains on loan to Hartford, Daniel Tkaczuk is with Syracuse, Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Trevor Glass, Codey Burki and Chris Chappell are on the 21-day injured reserve.
Florida Everblades 3 At Charlotte Checkers 0 - Status: Final
Dec 26, 2009 - Time Warner Cable Arena
Florida 1 1 1 - 3
Charlotte 0 0 0 - 0
1st Period-1, Florida, Pistilli 1 (Roy, Hotham), 15:11 (pp). Penalties-Leveille Chr (hooking), 1:50; Reynolds Chr (roughing), 2:57; Roy Fla (tripping), 7:53; Schepke Chr (roughing), 10:11; Schepke Chr (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct - disputing decision), 12:44; Buck Fla (interference), 16:45; Berube Chr (boarding), 19:10.
2nd Period-2, Florida, Carlson 10 (Hartlieb, Duffy), 14:03 (pp). Penalties-Roy Fla (interference), 1:28; Morrison Fla (boarding), 5:00; Olson Fla (slashing ), 5:00; Leveille Chr (holding), 5:00; Reid Fla (fighting - major), 7:08; Carroll Chr (elbowing, fighting - major), 7:08; Hartlieb Fla (interference), 7:48; Schepke Chr (hooking), 12:58; Berube Chr (cross-checking), 13:39; Chabot Chr (slashing ), 14:12; Leveille Chr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:12; Olson Fla (fighting - major), 17:58; Carroll Chr (fighting - major), 17:58; Reynolds Chr (cross-checking), 17:58; Guthrie Fla (fighting - major, game misconduct - jersey), 19:57; Taylor Chr (fighting - major), 19:57.
3rd Period-3, Florida, Healey 1 (Carlson), 18:33 (en). Penalties-Slattengren Chr (hooking), 3:50; Rowe Chr (elbowing), 6:35; Paquet Fla (interference), 8:43; Zanon Fla (cross-checking), 9:54; Olson Fla (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting - major), 19:13; Berube Chr (fighting - major), 19:13; Doig Chr (slashing , misconduct), 19:13; Reynolds Chr (unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:59.
Shots on Goal-Florida 18-18-11-47. Charlotte 10-5-13-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Florida 2 of 15; Charlotte 0 of 7.
Goalies-Florida, Morrison 7-8-1-0 (28 shots-28 saves). Charlotte, Munce 5-5-1-0 (46 shots-44 saves).
A-10,980
Referees-Jason Rollins (13).
Linesmen-Mark Hamlett (81), Terry Wicklum (98).
