Knight Stops 29 As Checkers Take Down Toronto 3-2

Details
The Checkers went north of the border for their first road contest of the season and collected a huge two points, beating the Marlies 3-2.

Patrick Giles started things off on the right foot for the visitors with an early tally via a laser wrist shot, but the Marlies struck twice in the back half of the first period - including a shorthanded goal off the rush - to steal the momentum back heading into the intermission.

The Marlies continued to push in the middle frame - outshooting the Checkers 14-5 - but it was the visitors who emerged with the upper hand. Mike Benning threw a seeing-eye snipe in from the point on an early power play to even things up, then Lucas Carlsson pushed Charlotte back ahead two minutes later - sinking in toward the net and launching a shot past the Toronto netminder.



SCORE SHEET
The Checkers locked things down from there, enduring waves of pressure from the home side - in large part thanks to a stellar showing from Spencer Knight. The netminder was tested until the final buzzer - including facing a power-play fueled 6-on-4 advantage from the Marlies for the final 97 seconds of play - but never folded, shaking off those early blemishes and guiding the Checkers to victory.

NOTES

Tonight was Charlotte’s first road game of the season and first road win … The Checkers have played five regular season games in Toronto since the 2018-19 season and are 4-1-0-0, having won four straight … Patrick Giles’ goal was his first since 12/31 of last season … Mike Benning’s goal was his first as a pro, as well as his first pro point … Mackie Samoskevich picked up an assist in his season debut with the Checkers … Brendan Perlini, who signed a PTO last week, made his Checkers debut today … The Checkers went perfect on the penalty kill for the third straight game and have now killed all 15 times they’ve been shorthanded so far this season … Spencer Knight earned his first win at the NHL or AHL level since 1/21 of last season … Zach Uens made his season debut … Santtu Kinnunen has assists in each of the first three games this season … Kai Schwindt, Jake Wise, Wilmer Skoog, Evan Nause, Calle Sjalin and Mack Guzda were the scratches for Charlotte