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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. A shootout goal by South Carolina's Keith Johnson beat the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 Saturday night, even though Matt Schepke scored his fifth goal in five games.
Miika Wiikman made 24 saves for the Checkers (5-3, 2-0).
Charlotte got on the board first for the third game in a row on Schepke's goal. Codey Burki, assigned by Lake Erie (AHL) before the game, started the play by dropping a pass back to Tyler Doig. Doig dished it to Schepke on the right-wing. He one-timed it past South Carolina netminder Braden Holtby.
The Stingrays answered on a shorthanded breakaway by Johnson at 10:56 of the first period.
Less than six minutes later, South Carolina took the lead on another breakaway. Rookie forward Nikita Kashirsky broke in all alone and faked both ways before beating Wiikman between the legs for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.
The game remained 2-1 until 15 minutes into the second period, when Checkers rookie winger Andrew Carroll scored his third goal of the season. Ryan Hillier got an assist.
Both teams missed several chances in the third period. South Carolina was assessed a penalty in overtime, but the Checkers couldn't capitalize.
Each team needed seven shooters in the shootout.
The Checkers host Elmira at 5 p.m. today at Time Warner Cable Arena.
