Checkers Blank Sound Tigers

The Charlotte Checkers threw the first shutout of the season at the Sound
Tigers, blanking Bridgeport, 3-0 on Tuesday night. Wednesday's game
has been moved to 5 p.m. because of the winter storm affecting the
Charlotte area. (Photo courtesy Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

CHARLOTTE, NC—The Bridgeport Sound Tigers could not break through against Charlotte goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic on Tuesday and were shut out for the first time this season, suffering a 3-0 setback to the Checkers before 8,341 fans at Bojangles Coliseum on Tuesday night. The Checkers are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes—the team formerly known as the Hartford Whalers.

The Sound Tigers were unable to convert on 25 shots and went 0-for-5 on the power play as the club officially crossed the halfway mark of the 2017-18 season. It was the first time Bridgeport has been blanked since Apr. 14, 2017.

Warren Foegele led the way for Charlotte with one goal and two assists.

Following nearly 36 minutes of scoreless play, Foegele got the Checkers on the board late in the second period with a fantastic individual effort. The rookie forward helped keep the puck in at the blue line and guided it to the left corner of the Sound Tigers' zone. Foegele then skated there after Andrew Poturalski nudged it free and Foegele regained possession, brought it to the front of the net, and slipped a backhand shot under Christopher Gibson at the 16:05 mark.

Less than four minutes later, Nicolas Roy made it 2-0 when he capitalized on a turnover and beat Gibson in the final 11 seconds of the period. Bridgeport failed to advance the puck cleanly through center and Roy raced down the left wing to create a 2-on-1. He sent a cross-ice pass to Clark Bishop from the circle and Bishop was denied on a one-time opportunity, but the puck squirted free and Roy forced home the rebound. It was his seventh goal of the season and Foegele also notched an assist on the tally.

Foegele capped his three-point performance in the final minute of the third period when he converted an empty-net goal for his 19th of the season – tied for first in the AHL.

The contest also included one fight when Sound Tigers captain and former Checker, Ben Holmstrom, dropped the gloves with Trevor Carrick at 17:16 of the opening frame.

Charlotte outshot Bridgeport 27-25, while Gibson (14-8-2) made 25 saves. The bright spot was the Sound Tigers' penalty kill that went 5-for-5 on the night and is now 23 for its last 23 over a five-game span.

The Sound Tigers fall to 18-14-4-2, while the Checkers improve to 22-16-0-1. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday at Bojangles Arena. Because of the winter storm, the game, originally slated for 7 p.m. will start at 5 p.m., and the arena will be closed to the public. Fans can follow all of the live action via the Sound Tigers Radio Network or AHL Live,

THE SKINNY

• Bobbleheads and ZOOperstars!: The first 2,500 fans at this Saturday's 7 p.m. home game against the Providence Bruins will receive a special edition bobblehead of New York Islanders draft pick and 2017 AHL All-Star, Devon Toews, courtesy of IBEW Local Union 488. In addition, the world-famous ZOOperstars! will be in attendance, performing their popular antics during each intermission. Great seats are on sale now.

• Guarantee Your Seats: Flex plans are currently available for the 2017-18 campaign, offering the greatest savings and ultimate flexibility of all ticket packages. Pick between a full-season, 20-game, 15-game or 10-game plan and you'll also be entitled to exclusive benefits, including the ticket holder exchange policy, which means any unused tickets can be traded for future games. Please contact Brad Dworin at 203-345-4813 or via brad.dworin@harboryardse.com with questions or to guarantee your seats.

—Staff Reports