CHARLOTTE, NC – The Checkers couldn’t get back on track in front of packed crowd on NASCAR Night, falling to the Toronto Marlies 3-1.
The two squads once again locked in a defensive battle, going the first 40 minutes without either side finding the back of the net. The goaltending dual between Alex Nedeljkovic and Calvin Pickard was finally broken up early in the third when Jeremy Bracco redirected a point shot into the top corner to put Toronto ahead.
The Marlies would double up that advantage later in the frame off another tip-in out front, but Charlotte’s offense would finally find an answer shortly after, with Andrew Poturalski getting a piece of a Jake Chelios shot in front to make it a one-goal contest with five minutes to play.
The Checkers would push to complete their comeback down the stretch of regulation, but struggled to create any offensive zone pressure. Their efforts would then be thwarted by a late empty netter that secured a weekend sweep from the visiting Marlies.
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