Louis Domingue Posts First Shutout of Season in Checkers' 3-0 Blanking

The Charlotte Checkers returned to Bojangles Coliseum with a statement defensive performance Friday night, and 34-year-old Louis Domingue was the centerpiece of it. The veteran netminder stopped all 18 shots he faced to record his first shutout of the season, backstopping Charlotte to a 3-0 win over the Bridgeport Islanders and pushing the Checkers' record to 34-18-5.

Domingue's 18-save shutout was the kind of efficient, low-drama performance that wins games in the AHL. Bridgeport managed only 18 shots on the night, and none of them found a way past him.

Charlotte's offense did its part early. Team scoring leader Ben Steeves opened the scoring 6:03 into the first period, burying what would prove to be the game-winning goal with Jack Studnicka picking up the lone assist. That early cushion gave Domingue exactly what he needed to work with.

The Checkers extended the lead with 1:55 remaining in the second period, when Brett Chorske made it 2-0. Steeves, already on the scoresheet as a goal scorer, added an assist on that one too, giving him a two-point night and firmly establishing himself as the offensive driver in this one.

Sandis Vilmanis finished the scoring midway through the third, notching his 11th goal of the season on assists from Brian Pinho and Noah Gregor. The Vilmanis goal is worth noting beyond the final score: he now has five goals in his last seven AHL games, a scoring run that has quietly made him one of the more dangerous forwards on Charlotte's roster down the stretch.

The Checkers and Islanders were scheduled to meet again Saturday evening, giving Bridgeport an immediate shot at redemption and Charlotte a chance to build on one of its cleaner defensive outings of the season.