The Checkers rattled off a thrilling comeback on their annual Teddy Bear Toss Night, notching four straight goals in the third period to stun the Syracuse Crunch 5-3.
Finding themselves down 3-1 midway through the final frame, the Checkers got the spark they were looking for when Connor Carrick launched a shot from center ice that found the back of the net. Cole Schwindt lit the lamp minutes later to even the score, and a power-play opportunity in the final three minutes to set the stage for the comeback capper.
Cale Fleury ripped a point blast on that man advantage that snuck through traffic, giving the Checkers their first lead of the night and electrifying the raucous crowd. That would be all the home team needed, as they shut down the Crunch’s final punch and took home the victory.
Fleury’s game winner was his second of the night, as he lit the lamp less than three minutes in to trigger the annual Teddy Bear Toss, which saw the fans contribute over 4,000 stuffed animals to be donated to local causes.
Devan Dubnyk made his Checkers debut in the crease tonight – his first game action since the end of the 2020-21 season – and made 17 saves to pick up the win.
Written by Nicholas Niedzielski
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