ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601220116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Eric Flinton scored the game-winning goal in a shootout Saturday night as the Charlotte Checkers defeated the Roanoke Express 2-1 in an East Coast Hockey League game at Independence Arena.
Flinton beat Express goalie Matt DelGuidice over the catching glove on Charlotte's first shot, which held up when Darryl Noren scored in the second round and Checkers goalie Nick Vitucci stoned the Express on all four shots.
After a scoreless first period, the Express broke on top 1:29 into the second. Roanoke's Tim Christian, who will play in the ECHL All Star Game on Tuesday in Tallahassee, Fla., corralled Dave Holum's drop pass and beat Vitucci low on the glove side for his 20th goal of the season.
After an Express power play expired a little more than two minutes later, Charlotte player-assistant coach Shawn Wheeler beat DelGuidice on a deflected shot form the slot at 3:47 to even the score.
Vitucci stood tall in the third, stopping Roanoke's Jeff Jablonski on a clean breakaway late in the period to send the game into the shootout.
Roanoke (22-20-2), fell for only the second time in a shootout all season, both in Charlotte. The Checkers (25-12-4) won their fifth consecutive game, all played in the past six days, including their third in a row at home - all in shootouts. Charlotte has won the past five meetings with the Express after losing the opener 7-5.
NOTE: PLease see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB