AHL: Charlotte Checkers gain spilt over opening weekend

Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty ImagesThe Florida Panthers AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers bounced back from a 5-2 loss to the Hershey Bears on Saturday by beating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-1 on Sunday to split its first two road games of the 2021-22 AHL season.

On Saturday, the Checkers got goals from Aleksi Heponiemi and Seattle Kraken prospect Alex True in the opener for both teams. Logan Hutsko drew the primary assist on both goals and Max Gildon and Max McCormick also collected helpers. Christopher Gibson gave up five goals on 29 shots in the loss.

After a scoreless first period at Mohegan Sun Arena, Lucas Carlsson and Alex True staked the Checkers to a two-goal lead…