The Checkers closed out the regular season with a tough 4-1 loss to Lehigh Valley.

With the Atlantic Division playoff seeding all set heading into Sunday’s tilt, the Checkers utilized a new-look lineup that featured some big names getting a rest and rookie Cooper Black making his pro debut between the pipes.

After the Phantoms converted on a man advantage to open the scoring in the first, the home side poured it on with three consecutive tallies in the middle frame - including another power-play strike on a two-man advantage.

The Checkers got one back late in regulation courtesy of a nice tuck by Wilmer Skoog, but it wasn’t quite enough as they dropped the 4-1 final.

NOTES

The Checkers finished the regular season with a 39-26-7-0 record … The Checkers went 3-2-3-0 against the Phantoms this season … Black, who signed an entry-level deal with Florida for next season, made his pro debut but exited the game early in the third period … Skoog extended his point streak to three games … Rasmus Asplund, Kai Schwindt, Riley Bezeau, Gerry Mayhew, Alexander True, Matt Kiersted, Casey Fitzgerald, Lucas Carlsson, Mack Guzda and Spencer Knight were the scratches for Charlotte