The Checkers came out firing with 14 shots on goal in the first period but had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard. It was the Senators who broke the deadlock just past the midpoint of the opening frame when former Checker Ethan Werek caught a beneficial bounce in front to put one behind Charlotte netminder Jeremy Smith. That lead would carry through a scoreless second and into the final 20 minutes of regulation.
The visitor’s strong play finally paid off when Phil Di Giuseppe swept into the offensive zone and fired a laser from a low-angle that snuck over the shoulder of Belleville goalie Andrew Hammond and under the bar to knot things up. The Checkers continued their strong push until the final five minutes of play, when Valentin Zykov burst off onto a breakaway and used a slick deke to slide the puck five-hole and give Charlotte their first lead of the night.
Jeremy Smith took things from there, closing out a 21-save performance to defeat the Senators and pick up his second win in a Charlotte sweater.
