Three days after playing the longest game in the AHL’s 82-year history, the Charlotte Checkers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms renew pleasantries tonight at Bojangles’ Coliseum, with the Phantoms leading the series 3-1 and looking to close out the Checkers with a road sweep tonight.
Alex Krushelnyski’s goal nearly 87 minutes into overtime on Wednesday left the Checkers in a deep hole, but coach Mike Vellucci will make few changes tonight, including running goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic out again for his eighth straight playoff start. Nedeljkovic held the Phantoms scoreless for over 130 minutes of hockey on Wednesday, only to be outdueled at the other end by Phantoms goalie Alex Lyon (what is it with players named Alex in this series?