Despite finding themselves behind three different times in tonight’s contest, the Checkers would not fold, rallying back until Justin Shugg netted the game-winner in the extra frame. The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Checkers that had seen them get outscored 14-4.
Whereas Friday’s contest was essentially decided in the first period with the Bulldogs jumping out 4-0, tonight’s rematch was a different story. The Checkers escaped the frame tied 1-1, and then the teams traded tallies until the horn sounded for the second intermission, with the home team holding a 3-2 lead.
The Checkers offense, which had been silenced during this stretch, bounced back tonight with four goals from three of the team’s biggest scoring threats. Shugg, who had been goal-less in his last 15 games, opened and closed the scoring for the visitors to notch his first multi-goal game of the season. It also moved him within one of the team lead, with Chad LaRose missing his second straight game due to injury. In addition to Shugg, Boychuk and Alex Aleardi also lit the lamp to keep up their recent uptick in production. In goal, the Checkers continued to alternate between their two netminders. John Muse was tabbed for the start and came up large, earning his fourth win in his last five starts while turning aside 29 of the 32 shots fired at him.
The Checkers will now return to Charlotte for a pair of tilts this week against their West Division foes the San Antonio Rampage.