The Checkers were brought back down to Earth Friday when their six-game winning streak was snapped at the hands of the first-place Hartford Wolf Pack.

The first period was packed with action, with both offenses firing on all cylinders. After Clark Bishop opened the scoring less than three minutes in things escalated quickly, with the two sides combining for five goals within the first seven minutes of action. Morgan Geekie then capitalized on a man advantage later in the frame to draw things even heading into the first intermission.

Those offensive fireworks wouldn’t carry over, however, especially for the Checkers. Charlotte would keep the pressure up throughout the remainder of regulation, but it couldn’t crack Hartford netminder Adam Huska again, much to the visitors’ frustration.

On the other side, the Wolf Pack were able to convert their chances when it came down to it. Danny O’Regan regained the lead for his squad with a power-play tally in the second, then Hartford broke through Charlotte netminder Anton Forsberg twice more in the third to build up some insurance as the division-leading squad coasted to the finish line with a 6-3 win.

NOTES

Tonight’s loss snapped a season-best six-game winning streak for Charlotte that was one shy of tying the franchise record … Julien Gauthier extended his point streak to nine games, the longest by a Checker this season, and extended his goal streak to four games, matching the longest by a Checker this season … Gauthier is now tied for fifth in the AHL in goals … Clark Bishop extended his point streak to three games … The Checkers were shorthanded seven times, the most in a game this season … Tonight was the sixth time this season that the Checkers have allowed multiple first-period goals and the first since Dec. 13 … Hartford’s six goals are the most Charlotte has allowed since giving up eight on Oct. 18 … Tonight was the Checkers’ first loss by more than one goal since Dec. 6 … Tonight snapped a four-game winning streak for Anton Forsberg … Eetu Luostarinen missed the game due to illness … Stelio Mattheos and Kerby Rychel missed the game due to injury … Derek Sheppard and Cavan Fitzgerald were healthy extras

NEXT GAME

The Checkers wrap their lengthy road trip with a meeting in Bridgeport tomorrow at 7 p.m.