The Checkers bounced back from a slow start to pull off a convincing road win over the Phantoms Saturday night.
Lehigh Valley opened the scoring with 9:23 remaining in the first period, as Garrett Wilson finished off a play to put the Phantoms ahead 1-0. Charlotte looked to find its rhythm offensively throughout the opening period but entered the first intermission trailing 1-0.
The Checkers came out with a different energy in the second period, finally breaking through just 1:21 into the frame. Nate Smith found the back of the net, with Jack Devine and Brian Pinho picking up the assists to even the score at 1-1.
Charlotte was just getting started. Less than three minutes later, Donovan Sebrango capitalized on the momentum to give the visitors their first lead of the night.
The Checkers continued to build on their momentum, and Sam Lafferty added to the lead late in the second period, capping off an impressively dominant three-goal period for Charlotte that gave the visitors a 3-1 lead.
The Checkers carried their two-goal advantage into the third period, maintaining their defensive effort and keeping the Phantoms from mounting a comeback. Charlotte held on to secure a convincing 3-1 victory, bouncing back with a dominant performance.
NOTES
The Checkers have won three straight games on the road … The Checkers are 1-0-0-0 against the Phantoms this season … The Checkers have scored a power-play goal in seven consecutive contests … Cooper Black is 2-0-1 in his last three starts … Smith has goals in his last two games … Nate Bastian returned after missing the last eight games due to injury … Brian Pinho and Angus Crookshank are on two-game point streaks … Devine has points in four straight games … Kai Schwindt, Will Bitten, Gracyn Sawchyn, Brett Chorske, Samu Salminen, Casey Fitzgerald, Mitch Vande Sompel and Tobias Bjornfot were the scratches for Charlotte
