10/30/07 - Checkers Get By Stingrays, Win 3-2

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Checkers Press Release

CHECKERS GET BY STINGRAYS, WIN 3-2

Charleston, SC. – The Checkers stormed into the North Charleston Coliseum looking for their third straight win on Tuesday night.

In the first period, the Stingrays struck first when forward, Matt Reid danced around the Checkers defense along the boards and fired a great shot over the glove of goaltender, Daniel Manzato at 14:14. Charlotte wouldn’t be down for long and while sporting a two-man advantage, forward Nathan Gillies dished a beautiful pass to Joe Barnes who was stationed in front of the crease and banged a one-timer behind goaltender, Davis Parley at 16:24 tying the game at 1-1.



The second period was littered with power plays for both teams, however; it was an even strength shot that turned into the only goal of the stanza. Checkers defenseman, Kenny Smith directed the puck towards center, Bruce Graham by bouncing a pass off the end-boards and right to Graham who roofed the puck behind the glove of Parley at 13:20. The second period ended with the Checkers up 2-1.

The final period proved to be a nail biter as the Stingrays would tie up the game after a rebound shot by Paul Macllveen sailed behind Manzato at 4:46. Despite gaining significant momentum by their tying goal, the Stingrays were unable to capitalize on a late power-play opportunity when Checkers defenseman, Kirk Dewaele was called for tripping at 13:08. However, the Checkers wouldn’t make the same mistake and tailed a goal on their power play chance late in the game when Dusty Jamieson banged the puck home on a nice setup pass from Barnes at 17:59. This goal proved to be the game winner and the Checkers skated away with a 3-2 victory.

Notes: Manzato was excellent turning aside 39 of 41 shots…Parley stopped 20 of 23…Both teams had seven power play tries with the Checkers scoring on two and the Stingrays scoring once…The Checkers next game will be on Sunday against the Gwinnett Gladiators…The Checkers won all five games in South Carolina last season.

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Stingrays Press Release (http://www.stingrayshockey.com/news/index.html?article_id=463)

Stingrays Fall to Checkers 3-2

The South Carolina Stingrays returned to the North Charleston Coliseum in search of their fourth straight win, but fell a goal short, losing to the Charlotte Checkers 3-2.

The Stingrays came out strong, and showed good skating in the first period, out shooting the Checkers to a tune of 17 to 8. Matt W. Reid got the Rays on the board first scoring his third goal of the season on the power play. At 14:14 of the first period, Reid muscled his way through two Charlotte defensemen and ripped a wrister passed Checker’s goaltender Daniel Manzato. The goal was assisted by Cail MacLean and Patrick McNeill. Just over two minutes later, the Checkers tied the game up, scoring a 5 on 3 goal.

The second period was much the same, with the Stingrays getting the better of the chances. But Manzato came up big for the Checkers and allowed them to take the lead when Bruce Graham scored one passed Davis Parley. After 40 minutes of play, the Checkers had a 2-1 lead.

In the third period, the Rays finally capitalized on one of their numerous chances. MacLean stole the puck in neutral ice and sent a long pass to Travis Morin. Morin took a quick shot which was kicked away by Manzato, but Paul McIlveen grabbed the rebound and tied the game up at two. McIlveen’s goal, his third on the year, came at 4:46 and was assisted by Morin and MacLean. But with just over two minutes to play in the game, Dusty Jamieson scored his third goal of the season, on the power play, to give the Checkers a 3-2 lead. Even while pulling their goaltender, the Rays were unable to tie up the game as time expired.

The winning goaltender was Manzato who made 39 saves on 41 shots. He improves to 2-0, while the Checkers move to 4-1-0-0. The losing goaltender was Parley who made 20 saves on 23 shots. He falls to 3-1-1 while the Stingrays fall to 4-2-1-0. The Rays went 1-7 on the power play, while killing 5 of 7 short handed situations.