CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Checkers fell behind on two quick shots in the second period but battled back for the 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades on Friday night in Uptown Charlotte.
Aaron Slattengren led the way offensively with a goal and an assist while Ryan Munce stopped 18 of 20 shots for his 10th win of the season. With the win, the Charlotte took a two-point lead in the standings over Florida and grabbed sole possession of second place in the South Division.
The Checkers got things going early on when Tyler Doig broke in alone, firing a shot off the crossbar before Ethan Graham laid a big hit on Everblades forward Jordan Morrison.
The hit seemed to provide the team with energy as they went on the attack and outshot Florida 18-1 in the opening period. Everblades goaltender Chris Beckford-Tseu turned aside all 18 shots and the teams carried a scoreless tie into the locker room after 20 minutes.
The Checkers eventually opened the scoring, three and a half minutes into the second, when Matt Schepke broke down the left wing wall and centered a pass to Jean-Philipp Chabot who was driving to the net. Chabot redirected the pass off the far post and in for his seventh goal of the season.
Less than a minute later, and with only their second shot, Florida tied the game when Ernie Hartlieb tucked the puck between the legs of Munce.
The Everblades then went ahead 2-1, just over a minute after their first goal, when former Checker Ryan Lang beat Munce between the legs for his 11th of the season.
Charlotte would tie it up in the second half of the period on a goal by Slattengren, his eighth in his last seven home games. Slattengren took a pass down low from Andrew Carroll, circled the net and fired a shot that deflected off an Everblades defender’s stick and in.
Just under nine minutes into the third period, the Checkers took the lead on a bit of a controversial goal. Everblades defenseman Brad Zanon put the puck toward his own net and Mike Taylor stuffed it in for his second goal of the year. The go-ahead tally was initially waved off by referee Nick Krebsbach and his decision was overturned following a meeting with the goal judge and linesmen.
Late in the third and final period, Charlotte was assessed three consecutive penalties and killed off a lenghty five-on-three Florida power play.
With 1:31 remaining on the clock, and the Checkers up 3-2, Munce made a game-saving stop as he gloved a puck that was centered and one-timed his way. Charlotte successfully killed off the late-game pressure applied by the Everblades and walked away with the victory.
Charlotte (25-15-6) will host Toledo Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
