The Charlotte Checkers opened up a two game set against the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. The game produced plenty of scoring chances and it took a shootout to decide a game that remained scoreless through 65 minutes.
Wolves goalie Eddie Lack stopped all 31 shots to earn his third shutout of the season. This was the fourth time the Checkers were held scoreless this season.
At the other end, John Muse had an outstanding performance for the Checkers as he recorded his second shutout of the season. He made 28 saves through three periods and stopped four additional shots in overtime, giving him a total of 32 saves to force a shootout.
After both teams scored two goals through five rounds, the shootout went into sudden death, with Wolves defenseman Kevin Connauton scoring the game winner in the sixth round. Checkers forward Chris Terry scored on a nice deke to beat Lack and A.J. Jenks scored in the fifth round to keep the shootout going.
Although scoring chances were limited, Matthew Pistilli had a partial breakaway midway through the second period as he got a backhand shot off but he was stopped by Lack. Zach Boychuk had a breakaway with less than four minutes remaining in the third period but was also denied. Muse kept his team in the game as he made a big save with 2.3 seconds remaining in the third period to help the Checkers get into overtime.
The Checkers and Wolves will meet again tomorrow afternoon in Chicago at 4 p.m. Eastern.
NOTES: Checkers killed off all four Wolves power plays and are a perfect 12 for 12 in their last three games …Checkers penalty kill is 30 for 31 (96.8%) over its last seven games...Justin Krueger left the game in the first period and did not return…Muse recorded his second shutout of the season…Checkers were shutout for the fourth time this season and first time since Jan. 3 vs. San Antonio…Defenseman Joe Sova was a healthy scratch for Charlotte, while forwards Chris Durno, Riley Nash and defenseman, Chris Murray sat out due to injury.
