Checkers vs. Stingrays - 01/19/07

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CHECKERS PRESS RELEASE (http://www.gocheckers.com/fullstory.php?id=566)

MURPHY LEADS CHECKERS TO SHUTOUT WITH HAT TRICK

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Checkers defeated the South Carolina Stingrays 5-0 Friday night in front of 8675 fans. Dan Murphy led the Checkers in scoring with a hat trick and goaltender, Alex Westlund, was credited with his second shutout of the season. Friday’s win was the Checkers fifth straight win at home.

Murphy scored his first goal of the evening at 2:37 in the first period. Murphy had help from both Lee Falardeau and Rick Kozak, who recently returned from the CHL. Murphy scored the second goal of the evening which was an even-strength goal which was again assisted by Falardeau and rookie, Corey Potter. At the end of the first period the Checkers had the edge 2-0 over South Carolina.

The only goal of the second period was scored by Hugh Jessiman on the power play who had help from both Mike Ouellette and Ryan Constant at 5:57 in the second period.

Zdenek Bahensky scored early in the third period at 2:19 to put the Checkers up 4-0 over the Stingrays. Bahensky’s goal was assisted by both Ouellette and Jessiman. Toward the end of the period at 15:08 Dan Murphy scored his hat trick goal help for the third time from Falardeau increasing the Checkers lead and securing the shutout at 5-0.

Goaltender, Westlund, had his second shutout of the season with 32 saves, and South Carolina goaltender, Davis Parley took the loss stopping 31 of 36 shots on goal.

The Checkers hosted race night on Friday and the organization raised more than $40,000 to benefit the Victory Junction Gang located in Randleman, North Carolina.

The Checkers next home game is against the Florida Everblades on February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Bobcats Arena. 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=1345)

Post-Game Video Conference (http://www.prosportsmedia.com/admin/../checkers/mm/video/clip/1-19-07.wmv)

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CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/hockey/echl/charlotte_checkers/16504686.htm)

MURPHY, CHECKERS CONTINUE TO ROLL

Rookie scores 3 goals in team's 4th straight win

by CLIFF MEHRTENS (cmehrtens@charlotteobserver.com)

CHARLOTTE, NC - Dan Murphy's hockey season is on the upswing.

The rookie scored three goals in the Charlotte Checkers' 5-0 ECHL victory against the South Carolina Stingrays at Bobcats Arena on Friday in front of a crowd of 8,675.

Murphy, who played at Harvard, missed the first 12 games with a groin injury. He scored in his first game Nov. 21, and has 20 points in 23 games.

"I wasn't doing anything special tonight," Murphy said. "I have to give credit to my linemates (Lee Falardeau and Rick Kozak). They did the hard work. I just went to the net and put it in."

The Checkers (21-14-1-2) won their fourth straight overall and fifth in a row at home.

Alex Westlund made 31 saves, including two breakaways, for his second shutout. He's won three straight. Falardeau had three assists.

Rookie Mike Ouellette extended his scoring streak to eight games with two assists. He has 15 points in that span.

"Dan works hard every day and pays attention to what he does," coach Derek Wilkinson said. "He does the little things right. Goes to the right spot and gives himself a chance. He's not a fancy guy."

The defense, led by Jake Taylor, was solid. Westlund (10-4-1-0) didn't give up sloppy rebounds. The Checkers have allowed six goals in the past four games.

"We won all three periods," Wilkinson said. "It's a good group. We talked a lot this week, and since Christmas have been playing a lot better."

Charlotte will travel to Reading for a 7 p.m. game today.

Notes

• Winger Dusty Jamieson (neck) was shifted to the 30-day injured reserve.

• Kozak suffered a second-period concussion in his return after a six-week stint in the Central Hockey League.

• Kurt DeWaele went on three-day IR, and Bruce Graham sat out after returning from the ECHL All-Star game Wednesday.

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SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS PRESS RELEASE (http://www.stingrayshockey.com/news/index.html?article_id=212)

WESTLUND, CHECKERS SHUTOUT STINGRAYS, 5-0

CHARLOTTE, NC - Alex Westlund made 32 saves to register his second shutout of the season and Dan Murphy notched a hat trick to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 5-0 victory over South Carolina to snap the Stingrays five-game unbeaten streak before 8,675 fans at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

“We weren’t sharp in this game at all,” South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. “Maybe we were over confident. We have to be ready within 24 hours especially coming home in front of what is expected to be a huge crowd at the North Charleston Coliseum against Columbia.”

Charlotte (21-14-3, 45 points) started off the scoring at the 2:37 mark of the first period. Dan Murphy deposited a loose puck in front of South Carolina (20-15-3, 43 points) goaltender Davis Parley for his seventh goal of the season. Assists went to Lee Falardeau and Rick Kozak.

Murphy went back to work and netted his second of the game at 13:53 to give Charlotte a 2-0 lead with Falardeau and Corey Potter garnering helpers.

In the second, Hugh Jessiman tucked home his own rebound on the power play from Mike Ouellette and Ryan Constant at 5:57.

Zdenek Bahensky put the game out of reach at 2:19 of the third from Ouellette and Jessiman.

Murphy completed his three-goal performance by taking a feed from Falardeau at the 15:08 mark.

South Carolina failed to convert on seven power play chances, while Charlotte went 1-for-5. Checkers outshot the Stingrays 36-32.

Stingrays Nearing Sell Out!

The Stingrays are down to the last few hundred tickets remaining for tonight’s game when the team hosts the Columbia Inferno at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Coliseum box office or by calling Ticketmaster at 554-6060. The Rays are expected to welcome there second crowd of over 10,000 fans this season.

Stingrays Hockey – A Whole Lot Cooler!

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CHARLESTON POST & COURIER (http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=sports&tableId=127302&pubDate=1/20/2007)

CHARLOTTE ABRUPTLY HALTS STINGRAYS' UNBEATEN STREAK

by MIKE KELLY

CHARLOTTE, NC - Alex Westlund made 32 saves to register his second shutout of the season and Dan Murphy notched a hat trick to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 5-0 ECHL victory Friday night over South Carolina to snap the Stingrays' five-game unbeaten streak before 8,675 fans at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

"We weren't sharp in this game at all," South Carolina coach Jason Fitzsimmons said. "Maybe we were over confident.

"We have to be ready within 24 hours, especially coming home in front of what is expected to be a huge crowd at the North Charleston Coliseum against Columbia."

Charlotte (21-14-3, 45 points) started off the scoring at the 2:37 mark of the first period. Murphy deposited a loose puck in front of South Carolina (20-15-3, 43 points) goaltender Davis Parley for his seventh goal of the season. Assists went to Lee Falardeau and Rick Kozak.

Murphy went back to work and netted his second of the game at 13:53 to give Charlotte a 2-0 lead, with Falardeau and Corey Potter garnering assists.

In the second period, Hugh Jessiman tucked home his own rebound on the power play from Mike Ouellette and Ryan Constant at 5:57.

Zdenek Bahensky put the game out of reach at 2:19 of the third from Ouellette and Jessiman.

Murphy completed his three-goal performance by taking a feed from Falardeau at the 15:08 mark.

South Carolina failed to convert on seven power-play chances, while Charlotte went 1-for-5. Checkers outshot the Stingrays 36-32.

Stingrays nearing sellout

The Stingrays are down to the last few hundred tickets remaining for tonight's game, when the team hosts the Columbia Inferno at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the coliseum box office or by calling Ticketmaster at 554-6060. The Rays are expected to welcome their second crowd of over 10,000 fans this season. The season opener on Oct. 21 also drew more than 10,000.

Tickets are $5 for a seat anywhere in the coliseum.