After falling just short in the weekend’s first meeting, the Checkers left no doubt in their rematch with Lehigh Valley, pounding the Phantoms 4-0 behind a shutout performance from Alex Nedeljkovic.

The netminder stood tall on all 22 shots he faced – including helping kill off six man advantages – to frustrate a powerful Phantoms offense and pick up his third shutout of the season, as well as extending his league wins lead. While Nedeljkovic proved to be a brick wall between the pipes, Charlotte’s offensive attack pulled their weight in the win as well. Nick Schilkey continued his breakout campaign by opening the scoring in the first with a beautiful finish off a slick feed from Morgan Geekie and then capping things off with a power-play strike in the third for his third multi-goal game of the season.

Newcomer Tomas Jurco banged home a rebound out front to double the lead and keep Charlotte’s momentum moving forward early in the second, while Nicolas Roy ripped a quick one-timer from the slot in the third off of another dish from Morgan Geekie, who finished the night with a pair of assists.

NOTES

Nedeljkovic is now tied for fifth in the AHL in shutouts this season and has nine in his career … Nedeljkovic has not had consecutive regulation losses this season … Schilkey is now tied for fourth on the team in goals and has 12 points in his last 10 games … Schilkey and Carrick both extended their point streaks to four games … Carrick has an assist in each of the last four games … The Checkers have scored a power-play goal in four straight games … The Checkers have killed 23 of their last 24 penalties … The Checkers have had a two-goal scorer in each of their last three games … Haydn Fleury missed the game due to suspension … Janne Kuokkanen and Spencer Smallman missed the game due to injury … Steven Lorentz and Dennis Robertson were healthy extras

UP NEXT

The Checkers will return home for a two-game set against the Rochester Americans on Friday and Saturday to kick off a relentless stretch to games to finish the season.