Wolf Pack drop opening weekend series

The Charlotte Checkers scored twice on the power play Saturday night in a 3-1 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack in Charlotte, N.C.

The Checkers swept the two-game weekend series to open the AHL season.

For the second time in as many nights, the Checkers struck first. On a power play, Chris Tierney fired a shot on goal that Hartford goalie Dylan Garand was able to deny, but the rebound sat in the crease with the goalie down on the ice. Connor Bunnaman was able to get inside position and stuff it home at 17:50 of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Riley Nash scored for the Checkers at 6:52 of the third, converting Charlotte’s second power play goal of the night. Nash pounced on a rebound and stuffed it by Garand, pushing the Checkers’ lead to 2-0.

Santtu Kinnunen hit an empty net at 17:23 to make it 3-0. The goal was his first in North America.

Turner Elson broke up Charlotte goalie Mack Guzda’s shutout bid at 19:56, scoring his first with the Wolf Pack on a feed from Will Cuylle.

Tanner Fritz also had an assist on Hartford’s only goal of the night.

The Wolf Pack return to the ice Saturday at 7 p.m. for their home opener against the Wilkes-barre/scranton Penguins at the XL Center. The first 1,500 fans will receive a 2022-23 Wolf Pack magnetic schedule.

Hartford Athletic drop season finale:

Cameron Lancaster converted a penalty kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Louisville City FC (22-6-6) defeated the Hartford Athletic 2-1 Saturday night in a USL Championship game before a crowd of 12,096 in Louisville, Ky. It was the season finale for Hartford, which finished 10-18-6.

Louisville broke through first when Paolo Delpiccolo scored down the middle in the 45th minute, assisted by Amadou Dia with a headed pass. The Athletic tied it in the 74th minute when Ariel Martinez left-footed a shot from the right side to the top left corner of the net.

Daniel Faundez had four saves for Louisville for the win. Hartford’s Yannik Oettl had five stops.