The Checkers picked up a key point in the standings but couldn’t keep their road winning streak alive in Rochester, falling to the Americans 4-3 in overtime.

The back-and-forth contest saw the Checkers hold a lead three different times, but the Amerks punched back each time. The first came from Trevor Carrick in the opening frame as a puck he flung on net took a fortuitous bounce off a Rochester defender and ended up in the net. Alex Nylander opened the second period with Rochester’s first tally of the night, but a snipe from Julien Gauthier again put the Checkers on top.

With part of man advantage carrying over into the third, the Americans drew things even again right off the bat in the final frame, though a power-play tally by Greg McKegg pushed the Checkers ahead midway through the period. The neck-and-neck race shifted back into the Americans’ favor down the stretch, as they dominated possession and notched the equalizer late to send the game to overtime.

Rochester wasted no time in the extra frame, carrying that momentum and springing Colin Blackwell for a breakaway game-winner, securing the second point for the home squad.

NOTES

Tonight was the first overtime loss of the season for Charlotte … The Checkers finished their season series with the Amerks 2-1-1-0 … Tonight was the second time in 34 games this season that the Checkers have not gotten a regulation win after leading through two periods … Lucas Wallmark saw his point streak end at eight games, tied for the longest by a Checker this season … Greg McKegg extended his point streak to eight games, tying for the longest by a Checker this season … Colin Blackwell’s four points are tied for the most by a Checkers opponent this season … Jake Chelios and Andrew Miller missed the game due to injury … Josiah Didier missed the game while serving the last of his three-game suspension … Zack Stortini, Mike Ferrantino, Sergey Tolchinsky and Tyler Ganly all served as healthy extras

UP NEXT

The Checkers finish off their road trip with a visit to Syracuse tomorrow for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop.