By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
CHARLOTTE, NC – In his first AHL game, Anton Levtchi scored two goals, with the second coming 35 seconds into overtime to lead the Charlotte Checkers to a 4-3 OT win over the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack in the first game of the 2022-23 season.
Levtchi came motoring off the left wing side, cut to the middle of the ice and slid the puck past a poke-check attempt of the Wolf Pack’s new starter, Louie Domingue. Levtchi then flipped a backhander past Domingue to end the season opener.
Domingue made 40 saves for the Pack in a sterling effort and was the primary reason the game went to the extra session.
Henry Bowlby had five quality chances, all denied by Domingue with ten seconds left in regulation and Lucas Carlsson with under a minute left from the left point. Another on Gerry Mayhew as they were outshot by a two-to-one margin of 44-22.
Chris Tierney was robbed on the right wing with an open cage as Domingue slid over left to right with 8:08 left. He would tally their third goal two minutes to tie the score.
Julien Gauthier had given the Pack the lead at 8:07 with the night’s best goal. He took a pass from newcomer Turner Elson, turned on the left wing speed, and got inside position on ex-Pack Anthony Bitetto. He went backhand-to-forehand and put it past ex-Pack/Sound Tiger, J.F. Berube.
Alexi Heponiem had five shots in the game. He was stopped after getting the puck off the shinpad of the just-signed Ben Harpur with 5:41 remaining. Harpur drove out on Tierney and took away the bottom of the net. His shot went high and over the Wolf Pack cage. Just before, Tim Gettinger saw his wraparound attempt come up empty.
Lauri Pajuniemi had given the Pack the lead in the second period. Pajuniemi took a cross-ice feed on his off-wing from Matt Robertson and wired one past Berube at 3:42 of the second period.
Levitch was on the power play two minutes earlier in the lower right-wing circle and scored his first.
Heponiemi, who also had five shots in the game, opened the scoring at 4:38 of the first. He is from the same hometown as Pajuniemi.
Will Cullye, on the strength of Jonny Brodzinski slipping thru and making it an odd-man rush, dished ot back and saw Cullye, who buried the backhand pass at 13:52.
The duo had a strong game as Brodzinski shuffled another lead pass to Cullye, who made a wonderful attempt with just one hand on his stick.
NOTES:
Cullye led the Pack with four shots.
Carter Sandlak, the son of ex-Hartford Whaler, Jim Sandlak, was one of the referees. One of the linesmen was from the female trainee group, Kirsten Welsh.
Making his debut as the Checkers assistant coach was ex-Pack Bobby Sanguinetti.
Signed to his AHL deal by San Jose was an ex-Pack defenseman, Patrick Sieloff.
Ex-CT Whale Michael Del Zotto and former Yale Bulldog Alex Lyon were assigned to Charlotte and scratched.
Adam Samuelsson, youngest son of Whaler great, former Wolf Pack assistant coach, ex-Avon Old Farms assistant, and ex-Ranger Ulf Samuelsson on the eve of ECHL training camp, goes from Idaho Steelheads to the Tulsa (OK) Oilers.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
Stay connected with ours socials