The Checkers made a comeback bid in the third period but fell short, losing 4-3 to the Rampage.
The Rampage jumped out to a lead for the second straight night, with Drew Shore lighting the lamp just over three minutes into the first period, but Greg Nemisz quickly responded with his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Three consecutive San Antonio goals would later give the Rampage a 4-1 lead early in the third.
Justin Shugg, in his second game returning from injury, picked up a rebound out front and hammered it home to start a Checkers rally, and the captain Michal Jordan blasted a power-play goal from the point to pull them within one with under five minutes to play. But the comeback bid fell short, with the Checkers unable to sustain any pressure, and the Rampage prevailed 4-3, completed their two game sweep of Charlotte.
Penalties proved to be an issue for the Checkers tonight, as they gave San Antonio nine power-play opportunities and surrendered two goals. Those two goals, which came at the end of the first frame, put the Rampage out in front and prevented the Checkers from building any sort of offensive pressure. Charlotte had five man-advantages but was only able to capitalize once.
Drew MacIntyre made his 11th start of the season, his sixth straight, and was saddled with the loss. The Rampage peppered him with 40 shots, of which he stopped 36, including 16 in a hectic second period.
Charlotte will now return to Time Warner Cable Arena for their first matchup with the season against the Norfolk Admirals on Tuesday.
NOTES
Shugg scored for the second straight game after returning to the lineup on Friday. He missed the previous eight games due to injury … Greg Nemisz notched two points (1g, 1a), giving him 10 points in his last eight games … Kyle Jean played in his 150th pro game ... The Checkers entered the night as one of four AHL teams that had yet to win consecutive games … San Antonio improved to 7-0-0 against West Division opponents this season … Forwards Patrick Brown, Brody Sutter and Ben Holmstrom missed the game due to injury, while forward Carter Sandlak served the third of a four-game suspension … Defensemen Dennis Robertson and Beau Schmitz were healthy extras.
