Checkers vs. Stingrays: 11/19/06

[SD12]

CHECKERS PRESS RELEASE

CHECKERS DEFEATED BY STINGRAYS IN THREE GAME WEEKEND

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers were defeated 1-0 by the South Carolina Stingrays Sunday at St. Lawrence Homes Home Ice at Charlotte Bobcats Arena in front of 3,827 fans. Matt Stefanishion led the Stingrays in scoring with the only goal of the evening.

After defeating the South Carolina Stingrays Friday night 4-3 in Charleston, the Stingrays came to Charlotte and defeated the Checkers 1-0. Both teams faced a strenuous weekend with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The action started early in the first period as Charlotte?s Rick Kozak and Cam McCaffrey faced off and received five minute majors for fighting. After a hard fought first period the game was scoreless going into the first intermission.

The only goal of the game was scored late in the second period at 15:00 by South Carolina?s Stefanishion giving the Stingrays the lead and game winning goal at 1-0. Although the Checkers fought hard to come back, unfortunately their efforts were unsuccessful in an attempt to push the game into overtime.

Chris Holt took the loss for the Checkers stopping 24 of 25 shots on goal, and South Carolina?s Daren Machesney took the win for the team with his shutout.

The Checkers next home game is Firday, November 24 against the Florida Everbaldes at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. On the 24th the Checkers will be holding the Presbyterian Hemby Children?s Hospital Teddy Bear Toss when the Checkers score their first goal of the evening. For ticket information call the Checkers at 704-342-4-ICE or purchase and print your tickets at www.gocheckers.com (http://www.gocheckers.com).

BOX SCORE (http://echl.leaguestat.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1056)

[SD12]

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

STINGRAYS TAG CHECKERS WITH ONE-GOAL LOSS

SOUTH CAROLINA GOALIE HOLDS OFF CHARLOTTE DESPITE EARLY FLURRY

by Tim Donelli

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers were looking for their third straight win at home Sunday afternoon, but South Carolina goalie Darren Machesney and the rest of the Stingrays had other ideas.

Machesney turned aside 23 shots and South Carolina snapped a four-game winless streak (0-3-1) in a 1-0 victory against the Checkers in front of 3,827 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Matt Stefanishion's tap-in with five minute left in the second period was the game's only goal. A bad bounce off the skate of Charlotte defenseman Kenny Smith's skate ended up on the stick of the Stingrays' Evan Schwab, who then passed it in front of the Checkers goal to a wide-open Stefanishion.

The Checkers (8-4) dominated the first period, outshooting the Stingrays 13-4. But the momentum changed dramatically in the second period with South Carolina holding Charlotte to three shots and racking up 14 of its own.

In the third period, the Checkers' effort to tie the score was hampered by three minor penalties, while the Stingrays (8-6-1) were penalty free in the final frame.

"It was one of those games where one goal was going to win it," Checkers defenseman Kenton Smith said. "I thought we played pretty well, but we just couldn't get that one goal to go in for us."

The Checkers had chances to score, especially in the first period. Machesney made some key saves during Charlotte's first-period domination. Checkers goalie Chris Holt played as well as Machesney, turning aside 24 shots while stopping one short-handed breakaway and several other point-blank chances.

"Both teams were playing their third game in as many nights and it was a very close game," Charlotte coach Derek Wilkinson said. "We did a good job in the first period and couldn't score. They did a good job in the second period and got one, and that was the end of it.

"Both goalies played well with only one goal scored on total 48 shots. Our defense and goalies have been stingy all season. We just couldn't capitalize early when we had some good chances."

The Checkers are in the midst of a stretch of seven games in 10 days and will play next in Gwinnett on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

[SD12]

SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS PRESS RELEASE

MACHESNEY, STINGRAYS SHUTOUT CHECKERS, 1-0

CHARLOTTE, NC - Rookie goaltender Daren Machesney recorded his first professional shutout making 23 saves and rookie forward Matt Stefanishion scored the lone goal to snap the South Carolina Stingrays four-game winless skid with a 1-0 victory over the Charlotte Checkers at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

“I loved our effort tonight,” South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. “We had a closed door meeting after Saturday’s game and the guys bought into it. Machesney was phenomenal in net and Stefanishion was key in the win as well. This was a nice victory for us on the road.”

The teams skated to a scoreless first period, with the Checkers outshooting the Stingrays 13-4 with South Carolina’s Machesney, who was appearing in his third professional game, and Charlotte netminder Chris Holt keeping the puck out of the net.

South Carolina (8-6-1, 17 points) took the play to Charlotte in the second with a 14-3 shot advantage. Stingrays’ Stefanishion, who was playing in his second professional game, opened the score by netting his first pro goal in front of goaltender Chris Holt with Evan Schwabe and Donny Grover collecting assists.

Charlotte (8-4-0, 16 points) had an opportunity on the penalty kill in the third. Blake Bellefeuille was robbed by Machesney on a great chance in close.

South Carolina failed to convert on five power play chances, while Charlotte went 0-for-3. Stingrays outshot the Checkers 25-23.

The Stingrays return home for their next contest at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday against the Texas Wildcatters at the North Charleston Coliseum for the Salvation Army Coat Drive Night. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently-worn coat for donation to the Salvation Army.

Join Mike Kelly, “Voice of the Stingrays” for live play-by-play action on Real 1340 and online at www.stingrayshockey.com beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Benito’s Pregame Show. Watch the game live on the web telecast for $6 each at www.stingrayshockey.com, courtesy of B2 Networks.

Don’t miss the fast-paced, action-packed, family affordable fun! Full season and partial season ticket packages are available by calling (843) 744-2248.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the North Charleston Coliseum box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (843) 554-6060 and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Discounted groups tickets, birthday packages, Kids Club information and fundraiser opportunities are available by calling (843) 744-2248 or by visiting online at www.stingrayshockey.com (http://www.stingrayshockey.com). Stingrays Hockey – A Whole Lot Cooler!