Barons Fall 2-1 To Charlotte

The Oklahoma City Barons scored first, but were unable to hold on as the Charlotte Checkers won 2-1 on a late goal Saturday Night at the Cox Convention Center.

With just 1:36 remaining in the third period, Aaron Palushaj found Philippe Cornet on a two-on-one where Cornet beat Richard Bachman on the far side. Victor Rask was credited with the second assist on the game-winning goal.

The first period was scoreless, but Oklahoma City and Charlotte traded goals in the second period. First, Martin Gernat tried to find Roman Horak backdoor, but the puck came right back to Gernat and he buried it into a wide open net to give the Barons a 1-0 lead at 9:58. Anton Lander was credited with the second assist.

Charlotte capitalized on their fourth power play chance of the game at 17:09 as Palushaj found A.J. Jenks in front of the Barons' goal and he was able to one-time the puck through the legs of Bachman to even the game at one.

The third period had plenty of back and forth action, with John Muse and Bachman coming up with big saves on numerous occasions. However, a late turnover landed on Palushaj's tape and led to Cornet's game-winner.

Oklahoma City led 37-33 in shots, but Muse had an answer for 36 of them. Bachman stopped 31 of 33 with another strong performance.

Lander's assist was his fifth in the past four games since he returned to Oklahoma City from the Edmonton Oilers. He also has one goal in that span.

Oklahoma City returns to action Jan. 17 when they take on the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m. at Cox Convention Center.