Checkers Tie the Series up with 3-2 Win against Bears

Braden Holtby stands a Charlotte Checker up. Photo by Checkers SmugMug.

Tonight’s game against the Charlotte Checkers was the first chance for the Bears to really take control of this series but we all knew that it would be a battle.

The first period was pretty uneventful in terms of offense. The Bears made sure that they were in control of this game, keeping possession of the puck for most of the periods. During the first period, the Checkers only managed four official shots on goal versus Hershey’s ten shots on goal.

Unfortunately, all that effort didn’t matter when Zach Miskovic was whistled for tripping at the beginning of the second period. Charlotte scored on the power play with a shot from the face-off circle. It looked like Braden Holtby was screened by both a Checker and a Bear.

Just over halfway through the period, Mathieu Perreault tied the game up with an interesting goal. Perreault was right on the goal line when he took a shot. It somehow managed to squeak past Mike Murphy who was flush against the goalpost. It may have even bounced off of Murphy.

Charlotte’s power play proved to be deadly again in the third period as former Bear Oskar Osala scored during the man advantage. It was originally awarded to Dalpe, who was right on top of Holtby. But it was changed to Osala after it was decided that Dalpe didn’t touch it before it crossed the line.

With the game winding down, the Checkers ensured that they would finish the game with a win. Nick Dodge, who scored a goal last night, gave Charlotte a two-goal lead. But Perreault responded with his second goal of the night. He was able to bang home a rebound and bring it back within one goal.

But the Bears couldn’t complete the comeback with such little time left in the game. With Mike Murphy looking his best at the other end of the ice, Hershey lost 3-2.

Tonight’s Notes

• It took just about fifteen minutes for the Checkers to record their first shot on goal, a testament to the effort of the Bears to maintain control and tempo.
• Just a note from the game: Steve Pinizzotto was missing at the start of the second period but he returned a few minutes later. I’m not sure if it was a minor injury or an equipment issue.
• Maybe I jinxed them last night but the penalty kill unit wasn’t up to their normal standard tonight. Two of Charlotte’s three goals came on the power play.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin – Pinizzotto
Greentree – Perreault – Willsie
Carroll – Joudrey – Bouchard
Kozek – Lacroix – Rome

McNeill – Fahey
Souray – Orlov
Miskovic – Wellar

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Mike Murphy (CHA)
2. Mathieu Perreault (HER)
3. Zac Dalpe (CHA)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Perreault: scored both of Hershey’s goals
2. McNeill: only Hershey defenseman with + rating
3. Murphy: I can’t help it. Even I have to give him credit for stopping 34 of 36 shots.