Jack Devine’s 18th goal of the season was the game’s opening tally, giving Charlotte a 1-0 lead at 10:53. Gracyn Sawchyn ripped the puck away from a Marlies defender in the offensive zone and found Devine in the slot. The Glencoe, IL, native fired a wrist shot off the left post and in past Marlies netminder Dennis Hildeby.
Luke Haymes tied the contest at 5:48 of the second period, sliding a shot off an offensive zone face-off through the legs of Cooper Black. Logan Shaw’s shorthanded goal gave Toronto its first lead of the night at 18:35.
Ben Steeves notched his team-leading 21st goal of the season at 9:13, evening the score at two off a dish from Jack Studnicka. Carrick put the Checkers in front with his fifth goal of the year at 15:04, snapping a shot through the right arm of Hildeby. Sawchyn recorded the primary assist on the eventual game-winning strike.
Cooper Black made 15 stops, picking up his 25th victory of the season. Charlotte has won four straight games.
The Checkers quarrel with the Marlies again on Saturday afternoon, wrapping up their six-game road trip. Coverage of the game can be found on FloHockey and Mixlr.
