After storming back from a two-goal deficit with power-play goals less than two minutes apart in the second period, the Checkers fell apart in the third as the Texas Stars scored four unanswered goals to seize a 6-2 victory on their home ice Friday night.
Justin Shugg and Trevor Carrick scored for the Checkers, who have now lost three straight games to fall below the .500 mark for the first time this season (7-8-0).
With goals at a premium of late, a 2-0 deficit following the first period of play seemed as thought it would be tough to overcome until the Stars took two penalties just 17 seconds apart in the second. The visitors took full advantage via a quick rebound goal by Shugg and a blast from the point by Carrick before the penalties to Jesse Blacker and Justin Dowling could expire.Any momentum for Charlotte would be relatively short-lived, however, as Texas came out flying for the start of the third. It took only 16 seconds for Radek Faksa to capitalize on a turnover in the Checkers’ zone, with Dowling following up on a beautifully executed two-on-one break less than two minutes later to turn the tide.
Greg Rallo would pad the lead with a power play goal and Devin Shore would go on to score an empty-netter for the Stars, who erased a three-game losing streak of their own with the victory.
The Checkers now head to San Antonio to complete their two-game trip through Texas on Sunday evening. Heading into Friday’s action, San Antonio had earned points in 13 of their first 14 games of the season (9-1-4).