The Toronto Marlies closed out 2018 with a 5-4 in overtime win against the Charlotte Checkers where Michael Hutchinson started his first game in net for the Marlies since being acquired from the Florida Panthers.
Hutchinson’s night was exciting at the beginning, as the Marlies jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but he was forced to stand on his head as the Marlies collapsed in front of him, allowing the Checkers to force overtime. Sound familiar? Hutchinson’s Panthers teammate James Reimer could probably recognize it. But unlike the Leafs in 2013, Chris Mueller clawed back the win in overtime off an incredible rush shot to send the fans at Coca-Cola Coliseum into 2019 on a happy note.