Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 38 shots, and right wing Julien Gauthier scored 1:51 into the game, giving the Checkers a lead they would not relinquish as Charlotte downed the Chicago Wolves 4-1 in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Final in Rosemont, Illinois.
The Checkers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 set for 5 p.m. Thursday in Rosemont.
Right wing Brooks Macek ended the scoring drought for the Wolves, the top minor-league affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, with a goal at 14:49 of the third period, assisted by Zach Whitecloud and T.J. Tynan. But an empty-netter from Checkers center Martin Necas at 16:55 ended any comeback hopes.