In a-back-and-forth matchup, the Checkers’ power-play squad would pull a clutch performance, counting for two of the night's goals and driving Charlotte’s win on the road.
The Amerks got on the board just over a minute into the matchup. The Checkers would strike back in the latter half of the first period as C.J. Smith hammered in a goal from a pass from Mike Benning.
Leonard kicked off the second period early when his shot found the back of the net to earn Charlotte their first power-play goal of the night. Rochester rounded out the period tallying a goal, bringing a tied game into the third period.
Ben Steeves led the Checkers to yet another power-play goal midway through the third period, giving Charlotte the lead.
In the final minutes of the third period, Leonard would score on the empty-net, bringing a brief two-goal lead before the Amerks would respond and tally a late point. In a nail-biting, final minute, the Checkers defense would fend off the desperate Amerks to lead the team to a win on the road.
NOTES
The Checkers are 2-1-0-0 against Rochester this season … The Checkers are on a three-game points streak on the road … Kaapo Kahkonen made his first start in a Charlotte sweater and earned his first win … Tonight was the 10th time this season that the Checkers have scored multiple power-play goals in a game and the first time since Jan. 25 … The Checkers faced their fifth penalty shot of the season and Kahkonen earned their third denial … Tobias Bjornfot recorded his second two-assist game of the season … Steeves’ goal was his first since Jan. 3 … Smith has points in two straight games … Leonard is now tied for second in the AHL in goals and has scored two goals in two of his last three games … Rasmus Asplund has assists in four consecutive games … Riley Bezeau, Nicholas Zabaneh, Zac Dalpe, Ryan McAllister, Aidan McDonough, Justin Sourdif, Riese Gaber, Mitch Vande Sompel, Dennis Cesana and Ken Appleby were the scratches for Charlotte
