Knight Stops 29 as Checkers Take Down Toronto 3-2
October 21, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
The Checkers went north of the border for their first road contest of the season and collected a huge two points, beating the Marlies 3-2.
Patrick Giles started things off on the right foot for the visitors with an early tally via a laser wrist shot, but the Marlies struck twice in the back half of the first period - including a shorthanded goal off the rush - to steal the momentum back heading into the intermission.
The Marlies continued to push in the middle frame - outshooting the Checkers 14-5 - but it was the visitors who emerged with the upper hand. Mike Benning threw a seeing-eye snipe in from the point on an early power play to even things up, then Lucas Carlsson pushed Charlotte back ahead two minutes later - sinking in toward the net and launching a shot past the Toronto netminder.
SCORE SHEET
The Checkers locked things down from there, enduring waves of pressure from the home side - in large part thanks to a stellar showing from Spencer Knight. The netminder was tested until the final buzzer - including facing a power-play fueled 6-on-4 advantage from the Marlies for the final 97 seconds of play - but never folded, shaking off those early blemishes and guiding the Checkers to victory.
NOTES
Tonight was Charlotte's first road game of the season and first road win ... The Checkers have played five regular season games in Toronto since the 2018-19 season and are 4-1-0-0, having won four straight ... Patrick Giles' goal was his first since 12/31 of last season ... Mike Benning's goal was his first as a pro, as well as his first pro point ... Mackie Samoskevich picked up an assist in his season debut with the Checkers ... Brendan Perlini, who signed a PTO last week, made his Checkers debut today ... The Checkers went perfect on the penalty kill for the third straight game and have now killed all 15 times they've been shorthanded so far this season ... Spencer Knight earned his first win at the NHL or AHL level since 1/21 of last season ... Zach Uens made his season debut ... Santtu Kinnunen has assists in each of the first three games this season ... Kai Schwindt, Jake Wise, Wilmer Skoog, Evan Nause, Calle Sjalin and Mack Guzda were the scratches for Charlotte
American Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2023
- Senators Celebrate Home Opener With 5-4 Win Over Rocket at CAA Arena - Belleville Senators
- Canucks' Wild Comeback Falls Short in 7-6 Overtime Loss to Wranglers - Abbotsford Canucks
- Griffins Swept by Colorado on the Road, 2-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Roadrunners Drop Home Opener to the Coachella Valley Firebirds 4-0 From the Tucson Arena - Tucson Roadrunners
- Reign Top Condors, 3-2 - Ontario Reign
- IceHogs Fall Short at Sold-Out Home Opener - Rockford IceHogs
- Eagles Rally For 2-1 Victory Over Griffins - Colorado Eagles
- Kyle Capobianco Notches Four Points In Win - Manitoba Moose
- Hardy Häman Aktell Makes NHL Debut with Capitals - Hershey Bears
- Bears Pick Up 5-4 Shootout Win at Providence - Hershey Bears
- Wolves Topple IceHogs 5-2 - Chicago Wolves
- Wolf Pack Win 1,000th Game in Franchise History 5-1 Over Phantoms - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Monsters' Strong Start Secures 4-2 Victory Over Crunch - Cleveland Monsters
- Blumel, Stars Stun Admirals in Final Seconds - Texas Stars
- Islanders Edge Comets in Overtime - Bridgeport Islanders
- Manitoba Scores Four in Second Period, Beats Iowa 8-2 - Iowa Wild
- IceHogs Name Corey Crawford, Steve Martinson, J.F. Rivard to Inaugural Ring of Honor Class - Rockford IceHogs
- P-Bruins Complete Two Third Period Comebacks, Defeated by Bears in Shootout - Providence Bruins
- Hartford Holds Off Phantoms' Push - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Comets Earn Point in 2-1 Loss to Islanders in Overtime - Utica Comets
- Strong Push Not Enough as Pens Top T-Birds - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Silver Knights Defeat Barracuda, Improve to 4-0 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Penguins Seize Victory in Home Opener, 3-1 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Crunch Downed by Monsters, 4-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Barracuda Lose Heartbreaker in Henderson 4-3 in OT - San Jose Barracuda
- Knight Stops 29 as Checkers Take Down Toronto 3-2 - Charlotte Checkers
- Steven Kampfer Named Roadrunners Captain - Tucson Roadrunners
- Morning Skate Report: October 21, 2023 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Texas Stars Recall Defenseman Jacob Murray from Idaho - Texas Stars
- IceHogs Welcome Wolves to BMO Center for 2023-24 Home Opener - Rockford IceHogs
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild at Manitoba Moose - Iowa Wild
- Wolf Pack Look to Sweep Home Opening Week as Phantoms Come to Town - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Guttman Assigned to Rockford Ahead of Home Opener, Gagnier Loaned to Indy - Rockford IceHogs
- Game Preview: Bears at Bruins, 7:05 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Wranglers Quiet the Canucks - Calgary Wranglers
- Game Day - CGY at ABB - 10.21.2023 - Calgary Wranglers
- Toronto Marlies Face off against Charlotte Checkers in First Half of Back-To-Back - Toronto Marlies
- Bridgeport Islanders Host Utica in Tonight's Home Opener - Bridgeport Islanders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
