The Checkers stunned the Griffins, scoring two goals in the first period, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
“It’s tough to give up those two early goals and put us behind the eight ball,” Griffins’ goalie Cal Heeter said.
The Griffins battled back in the second period, when Evgeny Svechnikov scored on the power play just over two minutes into the period, cutting the deficit to 2-1. After that, Heeter and Checkers’ goalie Daniel Altshuller took over the game.
Despite outshooting Charlotte 34-25, and thanks to a stellar performance from Altshuller, the Griffins were held to only one goal, and Charlotte took home a 2-1 victory.