Charron's goal caps rally for Amerks

The centerman scores in 4-4 tie with Philadelphia despite an injury

Democrat and Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA (Monday, February 4, 2002) -- In a season of seemingly endless injuries, the Rochester Americans found out Sunday afternoon that they're not even safe on their own bench.

Craig Charron was accidentally cut on the hand by the skate of teammate Mario Larocque, but the centerman returned to score the tying goal late in the third period as the Amerks tied the Philadelphia Phantoms 4-4 at the First Union Center.

The Amerks dominated the third period and overtime -- just as they did in Friday's 1-1 tie with Albany -- but needed to rally in order to gain their 13th tie of the season.

Charron, his hand stitched between the second and third periods, scored with 3:37 to play in regulation by tipping in Brian Campbell's point shot. It was his second goal of the game and fourth of the season.

"There was some pretty impressive play because obviously we needed that point," said Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth, whose team outshot Philadelphia 49-25 in the game and 27-8 in the final 25 minutes.

Campbell was one of those who was solid. He assisted on both Charron goals and one by Rory Fitzpatrick.

Christian Matte was strong as well, scoring the only goal in the first period, then assisting on the second-period power-play goals by Fitzpatrick and Charron.

Charron's work may have been the most impressive. He was forced to the medical room in the second period after being cut between the knuckles as he sat on the bench.

"He had just taken a drink of water so he didn't have his glove on, and Mario was jumping over the boards and just nicked his hand," Cunneyworth said. "Blood wasn't just dripping, it was pouring out."

Charron was back on the ice to start the third period.

The Amerks fell behind for the first time in the game, 4-3, when goalie Mika Noronen misplayed a harmless backhander by Jesse Boulerice at 5:59.

"I think Mika realized he let a soft one in and he appreciated the way the guys battled back to tie it," Cunneyworth said.

Misplays hurt the Amerks greatly in the second period. A giveaway led to Guillaume Lefebvre's 15th goal at 3:37, tying the score 1-1 while the Amerks were on a power play.

After the Amerks went ahead 3-1, Joe DiPenta's point shot sailed through traffic at 12:38, then Pavel Brendl tied the score on a power play at 15:04.

"We have to take better care of the puck when we've got the lead," Cunneyworth said.

Notes: The franchise single-season record for ties is 16, set in 1969-70. The AHL record is 20, set by New Haven in 1972-73.

The Amerks record for ties when overtime became a part of the rules is 15, set in '93-94. The AHL record is 18 (St. John's in '97-98).

Noronen set the franchise record for ties by a goalie with 10. Dave Littman had nine in 1991-92.

Defenseman Marc Busenburg was back in the lineup after playing games Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Adirondack of the UHL.