Wolf Pack Edged by Checkers 2-1

After a tough start to their home schedule in the past week, the Hartford Wolf Pack hit the road on Friday. They traveled down to Charlotte, taking on the Checkers for the first of two games between the Atlantic Division rivals on the weekend.

The sides played a tight contest, but the home side would come away victorious. A late shorthanded goal helped the Checkers take a 2-1 decision.

Ultralight BMB

The first period saw plenty of action between the teams, but neither could find the icebreaker. Callum Tung was stellar in net for Hartford, making 17 saves in the frame. At the other end of the ice, Kirill Gerasimyuk denied 11 chances to send the game into the first intermission in a scoreless tie.

Charlotte finally broke the ice just over a minute into the middle frame. Donovan Sebrango floated a shot on net from the right circle that beat Tung and put the home side in front.

However, Hartford would respond just under the nine minute mark. Brody Lamb poked the puck to Bryce McConnell-Barker, and the two sped into the Charlotte zone on a two-on-one rush. McConnell-Barker waited out a sliding Checker defender and elected to shoot, ripping it by Gerasimyuk to tie the contest.

The goal was McConnell-Barker's first of the season, while Lamb and Dylan Roobroeck each picked up their first assists of the campaign. The teams ultimately took the 1-1 tie into the second intermission.

Growing Pains

The third period brought some early fireworks, highlighted by a scrap between Justin Nachbaur and Marek Alscher. The fight is Nachbaur's third as a member of the Wolf Pack.

Late in the contest, Cole Reinhardt was whistled for goaltender interference, sending the Wolf Pack to a timely power play. However, on the man advantage, a brutal turnover led to Hunter St. Martin burying a shorthanded marker off an odd-man rush. The Wolf Pack pushed late, but the goal stood as the difference, and the Checkers took a 2-1 decision.

Hartford will have a chance at revenge tomorrow in a rematch with the Checkers.

Up Next

The Wolf Pack and Checkers will cap off their weekend set tomorrow in the Queen City. Puck drop is set for 6 pm.