The Checkers came up short in both their games this past week, losing 4-3 to Milwaukee on Friday (Nov. 13). The Checkers would go on to lose to Milwaukee again on Saturday (Nov. 14), with a score of 3-1.
Three Stars for the week
David Wohlberg put up two assists in the Checkers game on Friday. Wolhberg also finished the game on Friday at a plus two rating. He was the only player on the Checkers to finish with that high of a plus minus for the game. Drayson Bowman scored his first goal of the season Saturday night and also tallied an assist Friday night. Bowman hasn’t been much of a noticeable presence on the ice for the seven games he has appeared in so far. Hopefully for Bowman and the Checkers this goal will be a kick-starter for him to start playing more consistent. His last minute goal stopped the Checkers for being shut out for the third time in fourteen games this season. Mike Cornell was signed by the Checkers on Thursday (Nov. 12) to a professional tryout contract from the Florida Everblades. Friday Cornell scored two goals in the Checkers 4-3 loss to Milwaukee. Cornell’s play was a silver lining in the loss. He was able to play serviceable minutes, and looked confident playing on the AHL level. Cornell should be a good addition to the Checkers backline, while they wait for multiple defensemen to rest up for injury.
Who’s Hot
Justin Shugg continues to play solid after coming back from injury. The Checkers leading scorer from a year ago, scored to tie the game in third period Friday night. Shugg is a clear veteran presence on the ice and he quietly racks up points, being a consistent top scoring leader on the team for the past three years. The team’s new captain Derek Ryan also had an assist over the weekend for the Checkers. Ryan now has ten points on the season and is still second on the team in points behind Phil Di Giuseppe who also had assist this weekend.
Who’s Not
The Zach Boychuk scoreless streak is now up to fourteen games now. This scoreless streak is the longest of Boychuk’s career and it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Boychuk has been extremely active in all the Checkers games this season. His fifty-five shots for the season leads the team by a wide margin. It is just a matter of time, before that first goal for Boychuck comes and when it does, don’t be surprised for him to go on a goal scoring tear shortly afterwards.
Injury and roster notes
Forward line pairings as of now
First line: Zach Boychuk-Derek Ryan-Phil Di Giuseppe
Second line: Brock McGinn-Justin Shugg-Sergey Tolchinsky
Third line: Brendan Woods-Brody Sutter- Patrick Brown
Fourth line: Drayson Bowman-David Wohlberg-Kyle Hagel
Defensive line pairings as of now
First pairing: Trevor Carrick-Jaccob Slavin
Second pairing: Rasmus Rissanen-Jake Chelios
Third pairing: Justin Agosta-Mike Cornell
