John Muse (39 saves) and Alex Aleardi (1g, 1a) led the way for the Checkers, who won for the first time since Jan. 23 – their final game before the AHL’s All-Star break. Phil Di Giuseppe opened the scoring for the Checkers, who led 2-0 at the second intermission and hung on to win the first of two games between the teams this week.
Charlotte’s losing streak was its longest since a franchise-record, seven-game slide in November of last season. During the streak, they had allowed four or more goals in each game.
Muse’s save total was his third highest of the season, trailing a 47-save effort on Dec. 2 and a 40-save outing on Dec. 31. He did not win either of those games.
Aleardi, who has enjoyed productive offensive numbers to the tune of eight points (4g, 4a) in 11 games since his recall from the ECHL’s Florida Everblades on Jan. 4, played an important part in both Checkers goals.
At the 15:46 mark of the first period, he set up the first by entering the zone with speed, curling to the left of the goal and sending a centering feed over to Di Giuseppe, who broke a 17-game goal drought dating back to Dec. 28. He did the honors himself just over a minute into the second period, waiting for a high rebound of Danny Biega’s shot to settle before smacking it home while positioned in front of Monsters goalie Calvin Pickard.
Lake Erie got exactly the start it wanted in the third period, with Paul Carey scoring on the first shift when he collected a high flip with speed at the Checkers’ blue line and raced in alone to beat Muse in alone on a forehand-to-backhand deke. However, the visitors stood tall the rest of the way, including in the final 90 seconds with Pickard pulled for the extra attacker.
The Checkers will remain in Cleveland for a rematch with the Monsters, a team they are chasing for playoff position in the Western Conference, on Thursday.
