Checkers down Comets, 3-1

Utica, N.Y. –  Charlotte jumped out to a 3-0 lead and Scott Darling stopped 25 of 26 shots in a dominating performance as the Comets fell 3-1 to the Checkers Wednesday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Tanner Kero netted his first goal as a Comet in the loss.

Greg McKegg scored 58 seconds into the game to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. The Checkers kept the pressure up but Ivan Kulbakov made some big stops to keep it a one-goal game heading into the first intermission.

Morgan Geekie doubled Charlotte’s lead three minutes into the second period. Clark Bishop extended the lead to 3-0, sneaking a shot around Kulbakov.

Tanner Kero finally got the Comets on the board with 4:12 to go in the third period, banking a pass off the stick of Darling. Zack MacEwen and Olli Juolevi had the assists. The Checkers shutdown the Comets in the final four minutes to come away with the victory.