The Charlotte Checkers crept into fifth place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division by splitting a weekend back-to-back against the Bridgeport Islanders, with both games being decided in overtime.
On Saturday, Gerry Mayhew’s second goal of the game 3:33 into the extra session gave Charlotte a 4-3 win with Bridgeport’s Otto Koivula serving a pair of penalties. Jake Wise and Mike Benning drew the assists on the game-winner.
Zac Dalpe opened the scoring with a power-play goal 3:30 into the first, with the helpers going to Justin Sourdif and Uvis Balinskis.
After Koivula tied it 5:09 into the second, Wise put the Checkers back on top at 9:26 with the assits credited to Benning and Brendan Perlini.
The Islanders forged ahead on third period goals by Karson Kuhlman and Robin Salo.
Mayhew would knot the score with two seconds left on the clock from Dalpe and Lucas Carlsson.
Spencer Knight made 22 saves to earn his tenth win of the 2023-24 campaign.
Sunday’s rematch saw Brideport’s Ruslan Iskhakov win it 3:22 into overtime.
The Islanders opened a two-goal lead on first period goals from Iskhakov and William Dufour.
Wilmer Skoog scored from Zalpe 5:19 into the second and Mayhew notched his third goal of the weekend unassisted to equalize with 1:26 left in the middle frame.
Ludovic Waeber got the start and played the first period, making eight saves on 10 shots. Knight, who came in at the start of the second, took the loss. He stopped 16 of 17 shots faced.
The Checkers (17-12-4 ) will open a six-game homestand on Friday when they host the Rochester Americans.