The Checkers mustered up another comeback but couldn’t quite close it out, dropping an overtime decision to the Utica Comets 4-3.

After falling behind by a pair the Checkers clawed their way back by the end of the second period, thanks to a snipe from Jake Bean and a fortuitous bounce from a Morgan Geekie shot. Charlotte then snagged the lead for the first time all night in the third period thanks to the hot-handed Aleksi Saarela, but the Comets came through with an extra attacker in the final minute of play to force overtime.

Both teams traded chances in the extra frame, including Saarela’s bid for a second-straight OT winner that glanced off the post, but it would be the Comets who jumped on a offensive zone turnover and capitalize on the ensuing odd-man rush to take the two points and snap Charlotte’s winning streak.

Utica 1 1 1 1 – 4
Char. 0 2 1 0 – 3

1st Period-1, Utica, Gaunce 7 (Brisebois, Graham), 17:07. Penalties-McKegg Cha (high-sticking), 4:17; Sifers Uti (holding), 9:35; Bishop Cha (hooking), 15:06.

2nd Period-2, Utica, McEneny 3 (Gaunce, MacEwen), 2:36. 3, Charlotte, Bean 5 (Roy, Necas), 9:25. 4, Charlotte, Geekie 7 (Bean), 17:09. Penalties-Blujus Uti (hooking), 6:08; Robertson Cha (holding), 11:18.

3rd Period-5, Charlotte, Saarela 9 (Poturalski, Bean), 12:56. 6, Utica, Boucher 15 (Jasek, Kero), 19:06. Penalties-Gaunce Uti (tripping), 7:58; Bancks Uti (hooking), 14:26.

OT Period-7, Utica, Archibald 8 (Gaunce), 2:58. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Utica 13-8-7-3-31. Charlotte 5-19-11-1-36
Power Play Opportunities-Utica 0 / 3; Charlotte 0 / 4.
Goalies-Utica, Demko 6-3-1 (36 shots-33 saves). Charlotte, Nedeljkovic 14-4-2 (31 shots-27 saves).
A-4,645.