The series heads to Abbotsford, Canada, for Game 3 on Tuesday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Michael Benning smashed a corner shot into the net on a power play to give the Charlotte Checkers a 3-2 overtime victory over the Abbotsford Canucks in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals.
The victory evens the series at 1-1 as the teams head to Canada for the next three contests.Β
It was the second time in this series that a game went to sudden-death overtime. Abbotsford won Friday’s game 4-3 in double overtime.
All four regulation-time goals in Sunday’s contest came in the first period. Charlotte struck first with a goal by John Leonard just over three minutes into the game. Leonard leads the team in postseason goals.
Abbotsford scored about one minute later with a score from Sammy Blais. Officials reviewed the goal for interference concerns, but the score was upheld.
The Checkers took the lead back with a power-play goal by Wilmer Skoog.
The Canucks followed up with a power-play goal of their own later in the first period, courtesy of Linus Karsson.
No goals were scored in the final 40 minutes of regulation, forcing overtime. Charlotte outshot Abbotsford 40-13 in regulation but was unable to capitalize on more goals.
In overtime, both teams had attempts, but it was Benning’s shot just over four minutes into the period that found the net and gave Charlotte the win.
Game 3 of the series is in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday.
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