Charlotte Checkers: Comeback from 0-3 Deficit to Win Game 2

The Charlotte Checkers stun the Toronto Marlies with a 5-3 win, after being down 0-3 about halfway through the game, scoring five unanswered goals to take Game 2 of the Calder Cup Eastern Conference Finals.

Although the season may be over for the Carolina Hurricanes, the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League have fought for life in their Eastern Conference Finals. After a heartbreaking loss in Game 1 that saw the Checkers lose the lead and lose the game 1-2, they came back to win a heroic game in Game 2.

In the first period, the Toronto Marlies struck early, only a minute and a half into the contest. They added insurance with only four minutes left to play before intermission. The game seemed to be over, when the Marlies scored again to make it 0-3, 4:52 into the second period.

Alex Nedeljkovic was pulled, as Dustin Tokarski replaced him in net. Nedeljkovic was named the American Hockey League’s top goaltender, winning the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award for the 2018-19 season, he led the AHL in victories with a 34-9-5 record and only 2.26 goals-against-average.

Tomas Jurco would get the Checkers on the board, cutting the deficit to 1-3. Jurco was acquired from the Florida Panthers organization, in exchange for Cliff Pu. Jurco is tied at ninth in points in the Calder Cup Playoffs with 10, so far.

Nicolas Roy cuts the deficit in half for the Checkers in the third period. Jesper Sellgren, who was Carolina’s sixth round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, scored the tying goal, as he proves his worth on his professional tryout with the Checkers.

Andrew Poturalski scored to give the Checkers the lead with his game-winning goal, he has been all over the headlines in the American Hockey League, as he currently leads the AHL with the most points in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He registered 70 points in 72 games, with a +16 plus/minus in the 2018-19 AHL regular season.

Hadyn Fleury has been solid, ever since returning from competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Hurricanes, he scored in his first game back in Game 1, having the lone goal. In Game 2, he registered an assist, while his plus/minus was +1, and he has been disciplined, never touching the penalty box.

Patrick Brown, who also played with the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, put the cherry on top, with great effort and forechecking power to get the empty-net goal to secure the Checkers victory in Game 2, allowing the Checkers to win with a comfortable 5-3 victory, before taking on the Marlies in Toronto in Game 3.

It is without a doubt that these players returning from the heartbreaking series sweep to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals have improved significantly from experiencing high-level competition, victory and heartbreak.

Their experiences create leadership, pushing their teammates in Charlotte to play to a higher level and to build a never-die attitude that Rod Brind’Amour has established in them, while they were in Raleigh.

Game 3 will see the Charlotte Checkers attempt to take the series lead in Toronto on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. We shall see if the Checkers can ride the momentum from their big comeback win.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: Will the Charlotte Checkers punch their first ever ticket to the Calder Cup Finals?