Sports & Recreation

Miraculous comeback sends Checkers to Conference Finals!

Sunday, May 8th, 2011, 10:40am

Miraculous comeback sends Checkers to Conference Finals!

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—Trailing 3-0 in the third period, the Charlotte Checkers scored four goals in a span of 9:18 to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 4-3, and win the East Division Final series, 4-2.

The Checkers will now face their division rivals, the Binghamton Senators, in the Eastern Conference Finals beginning Thursday at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Chris Terry led the comeback with two goals, while leading scorer Zac Dalpe capped off the comeback with a game-winning tally with 3:18 to play. Brett Sutter added a goal and two assists and Mike Murphy earned his seventh win of the postseason after making 32 saves.

Despite holding the Checkers to more than five straight scoreless periods, Brad Thiessen, the AHL’s top goaltender during the regular season, allowed four goals on eight shots in the third period and took the loss.

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Penguins blank Checkers in Charlotte, Game Six tonight in Pennsylvania

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Saturday, May 7th, 2011, 9:19am

Penguins blank Checkers in Charlotte, Game Six tonight in Pennsylvania

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Brad Thiessen stopped all 23 shots he faced as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins blanked the Charlotte Checkers, 1-0, in Game 5.

Despite the loss, the Checkers still hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series as the teams head back to Wilkes-Barre for Game 6.

Recording his second shutout of the series, Thiessen bested his counterpart, Mike Murphy, who blanked the Penguins on Wednesday night in another 1-0 affair.

Penguins forward Chris Collins scored the game’s only goal on a deflection, midway through the third period.

Murphy continued his stellar play, turning away all but one of the Penguins’ 33 shots, including some key saves to keep the Checkers in the game.

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Game 5 of East Coast Division Finals to be broadcast on Time Warner Cable

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Thursday, May 5th, 2011, 5:29pm

Game 5 of East Coast Division Finals to be broadcast on Time Warner Cable

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Charlotte Checkers announced today that Game 5 of the East Division Final between the Charlotte Checkers and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins will be televised live on Time Warner Digital Cable channel 520 in Charlotte and 519 in Raleigh.

The telecast will begin at 7 p.m. with Checkers broadcaster Jason Shaya.

Channels 519 and 520 are available with any digital cable package from Time Warner Cable.

For more information, contact the Checkers’ office at 704-342-4423.

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Murphy's shutout guides Checkers to Game 4 victory; lead series 3-1

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Thursday, May 5th, 2011, 2:23pm

Murphy's shutout guides Checkers to Game 4 victory; lead series 3-1

CHARLOTTE - Mike Murphy stopped all 44 shots he faced en route to his first career playoff shutout as the Charlotte Checkers blanked the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 1-0, on Wednesday evening.

With the victory, the Checkers now lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1, with an opportunity to clinch a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals at home on Friday.

Chris Terry scored the game’s only goal, early in the third period, to end a scoreless 42 minutes of play.
Though somewhat overshadowed by his counterpart, Penguins goaltender Brad Thiessen was near-perfect, making 31 saves to keep his team in the game.

The teams traded scoring chances late in the first period and early in the second period. Brett Sutter and Jacob Micflikier each had opportunities to break the scoreless tie, but couldn’t get the puck past Thiessen.

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Checkers hope to increase lead in Calder Cup Division Playoffs

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, 3:52pm

Checkers hope to increase lead in Calder Cup Division Playoffs

CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Checkers are hoping to increase their lead in the Calder Cup division finals, with game four Wednesday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Checkers are taking on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wednesday night at 7 p.m., after taking an early lead in the series, 2-1.

Jon Matsumoto scored two power-play goals in Game One as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the top-seeded Penguins.

While on the power play, Casey Borer faked a shot, found an opening in the defense and slipped a pass across the ice to Matsumoto. The veteran center one-timed the pass from the lower right-wing circle to beat the moving Thiessen. Five minutes into the third period, Matsumoto picked up his second power-play goal of the night on an abbreviated 5-on-3. After a battle in front, Riley Nash found Matsumoto at the side of the net, who then lifted the pick over the sprawling Thiessen.

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Overtime goal by Sutter gives Checkers lead in division playoffs

Submitted by Chris Dyches

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011, 9:37am

Overtime goal by Sutter gives Checkers lead in division playoffs

CHARLOTTE - Brett Sutter scored over the shoulder of Brad Thiessen at 5:40 of overtime as the Charlotte Checkers beat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1, in Game 3 of the East Division Finals.

With the win, Charlotte takes a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with the next two games scheduled to be played at Time Warner Cable Arena on Wednesday and Friday.

Nick Dodge also scored his fourth of the postseason for the Checkers, while Mike Murphy improved to 5-2 by making 25 saves on 26 shots. Thiessen took the loss for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, who fell in overtime for the first time all season, including the regular season.

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Charlotte Checkers host game 3 of East Division Finals

Submitted by Alison Hill, Community Web Producer

Monday, May 2nd, 2011, 2:14pm

CENTER CITY - The Charlotte Checker’s battle for the Calder Cup continues in game three of the East Division Finals Monday, May 2 at Time Warner Cable Arena at 7 p.m.

The Checkers are tied 1-1 in the series against the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins.

Tickets for Games 3 and 4 (tonight and Wednesday) are on sale now at Ticketmaster and the Time Warner Cable Arena box office. Click here to get yours now.

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