The weekend didn’t start as expected for the Checkers as they were smacked 8-2 against the Utica Comets on the road. Alex Nedeljkovic was yanked in the first period after making just two saves on five shots. In the three games he’s started this season, Nedeljkovic has allowed 11 goals on 52 shots.
Utica scored four straight until Charlotte finally got on the board early in the third period as Hunter Shinkaruk scored his first as a member of the Checkers. Eetu Luostarinen added another Checker tally but the Comets attack was relentless and Anton Forsberg made 14 saves on 19 shots in relief.