The Charlotte Checkers got swept by the Hartford Wolf Pack at Bojangles Coliseum over the weekend.
On Saturday, the visiting Wolf Pack edged the Checkers 3-2 when Chad Ruhwedel bagged the game-winner with 36 seconds left in overtime. Oliver Okuliar scored a first period power-play goal and John Leonard also lit the lamp for Charlotte, who out-shot Hartford by a 34-22 margin. It was Leonard’s team-leading 16th goal. Brandon Scalin scored both of the Wolf Pack’s goals in regulation, staking his team to a lead each time. Chris Driedger took the loss, finishing with 19 saves.
Sunday’s matinee rematch saw Hartford goaltender Dylan Garand post a 34-save shutout as the Wolf Pack cruised to a 3-0 victory. Ken Appleby stopped 21 shots and Leonard led the Checkers with four shots on goal.
Due to the back-to-back losses, Charlotte (20-11-3-2) slipped to third place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division. The Checkers will open at four-game road trip against the Iowa Wild on Wednesday.
Monday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances)
- BOSTON 6, San Jose 3
- Seattle 6, BUFFALO 4
- TAMPA BAY (25-16-3 53P) at TORONTO (29-16-2 60P) 7 p.m.
Idle: FLA (57P), OTT (52P), MON (50P), DET (46P)