Charlotte Slips by Texas in Overtime 3-2
Mar 17, 2013
Fraser Scores 29th Goal; Video Review Needed to Award Checkers’ OT-Winner
CHARLOTTE, NC – After a lengthy video review Chris Terry was awarded the game-winning goal in overtime as the Charlotte Checkers narrowly edged the Texas Stars 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Arena. Texas leaves Charlotte with a four-point lead in the South Division standings.
The game had a very up-tempo start and there was little between the Stars and Checkers in the opening period. Texas had a bit more offensive zone possession, but could not beat goalie John Muse. With 30 seconds left in the frame, defenseman Gord Baldwin was whistled for a questionable tripping penalty, giving Charlotte the first power play of the game. The Stars won the ensuing faceoff, but a turnover behind the net allowed David Marshall to swoop in and wrap the puck around the far left post and in at 19:35 to give the Checkers a 1-0 lead.
In the second period the Stars literally go a break to tie the game a one. Charlotte defender Rasmus Rissanen’s stick broke at the offensive blue live, allowing leading scorer Matt Fraser to race the other way on a two-on-one rush. Fraser snapped a shot over the glove of Muse and exploded the water bottle to level the score at 1-1 at 8:18, unassisted. Two minutes later Mike Hedden gave Texas its first lead. Justin Dowling stole a clearing attempt at the left wing half wall and then made a spinning backhand pass across the zone to an unmarked Hedden at the right post. Hedden took the puck and fired it low through the pads of Muse at 10:27 for his 10th goal of the year and a 2-1 Stars lead. The Checkers responded with another late period goal. Brett Sutter set up Matt Beca for a shot from the slot that beat Campbell at 18:04 to tie the game.
After an intense, but scoreless third period the game headed to overtime. Alex Chaisson had a great chance to win the game on the first shot of overtime, but his one-timer from the low slot was denied by a great save from Muse. With just over two minutes left in the extra session Chris Terry took the puck in the right corner and slipped an innocuous looking backhand toward the net but it handcuffed Stars goalie Jack Campbell and trickled over his left pad. Initially the referee did not award a goal as Campbell quickly clamped down the puck with his catching glove, while Terry and the Checkers celebrated on the ice. The referee went to the video review and spent a long time scrutinizing the monitor before eventually awarding game-winning goal to Terry and Charlotte at 2:53 of overtime.
John Muse stopped 28-of-30 shots to record the win in goal for Charlotte, who earns its first win over Texas in five games this season. Jack Campbell made 22 saves on 25 shots and took the overtime loss for the Stars. Texas out-shot the Checkers 30-25 and went 0-for-2 on the power play, while Charlotte was 1-for-3 with the man-advantage. The Stars are 4-0-1-0 (5 points) against the Checkers this season and will face their South Division rival three more times this year.
The Texas Stars now return home for a three-game home stand next week, beginning on Tuesday March 19th at 7:30 pm. against the San Antonio Rampage for another H-E-B Night at Cedar Park Center. Pro-rated full and partial 2012-13 season seat packages are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.