The Wolves opened the scoring in a high-octane first when Pat Cannone capitalized on a strange bounce at the side of the Checkers’ net and pounded one home. Charlotte found the equalizer in the latter stages of the frame with Sergey Tolchinsky collecting a beauty of a feed from Trevor Carrick, splitting the defensemen and potting his eighth of the year to tie things heading into the intermission.
The middle frame saw both sides create some solid chances, but neither squad could connect, and things proceed to the third with the same 1-1 score intact. It didn’t take long for the offense to appear again, however, as Cannone netted his second of the night two minutes in, securing a loose puck in front and finessing it to the back of the net to put the home team ahead once again. But the Checkers battled back, and Patrick Brown unleashed a wicked wrister from point blank range 25 seconds later to erase the Wolves lead.
Despite some big surges from both clubs in the extra period, neither side could light the lamp, and the game moved on to the shootout.
After T.J. Hensick converted his attempt with a slick deke, the Checkers next two shooters, Tolchinsky and Derek Ryan, were both turned aside. On the other end of the ice, both Danny Kristo and Ty Rattie were able to beat Altshuller, clinching two points in the standings for the Wolves.
Altshuller, making his first appearance in net for Charlotte since dressing for both the Hurricanes and the Everblades last week, had a strong outing between the pipes. His two goals allowed were the lowest in his last five appearances and his 35 saves were the most he’s recorded in a game since Jan. 29. He couldn’t keep the momentum rolling into the shootout, however, remaining winless in the breakaway contest this season.
The Checkers will now return home for a week of practice before heading to Manitoba to close out this road swing with a pair of games against the Moose.