The Checkers played their two most important games of the season against the Milwaukee Admirals this weekend. Unfortunately for the Checkers, they would lose the first game on Saturday (Apr. 9) by a score of 6-3 and come up short again on Sunday (Apr. 10) losing 4-2.
Three Stars
David Wohlberg stepped up on Sunday and gave the Checkers a boost in the offensive end. It was the second game in a row that captain Derek Ryan did not play due to an injury he received while playing up with the Hurricanes. Wohlberg stepped up in a big way by scoring the Checkers first goal on Sunday less than two minutes into the second period. He was able to break away from the defender that was trailing him just enough to get a high percentage shot off right in front of the net. Brody Sutter did his best job of helping pick- p the offense that was missing on Saturday night. Sutter was able to find the back of the net for the Checkers first two goals of the night. Justin Shugg might have shown the most fight out of any Checker this weekend. Shugg scored both of his goals at critical times. The goal he scored on Saturday night tied the game at three a piece, and the goal he scored on Sunday brought the Checkers to within one goal of tying the game right before the second period ended.
Who’s Not Hot
Derek Ryan has been the Checkers best offensive player throughout the entire season. He is also the team’s captain and leader every time he steps onto the ice in a Checkers’ jersey. Unfortunately, Ryan is not in the lineup for the most important two games of the season. Hopefully he will be able to take the ice when Thursday comes around.
Updated Postseason Race
Despite both the losses this weekend the Checkers just need to win both their last two games of the season against Lake Erie to make the playoffs. No matter how San Jose finishes in their last two games against the Stockton Heat the Checkers still are in control of their own destiny. These will also be the Checkers first games against Lake Erie since February 6th.
Injury and roster notes
Danny Biega, Andrew Miller, Dane Fox, Blair Jones, Valentin Zykoz, and Rasmus Risannen all missed both games due to injury. Ryan Rashid, Nicolas Roy and Zach Miskovic were all healthy extras. The Checkers signed Nicolas Roy on Saturday (Apr. 9) to an amateur tryout contract after he signed his entry-level contract with the Hurricanes. The Checkers released Derek Arnold from his player tryout contract on Monday (Apr. 11).
Forward lines as of now
First line: Brock McGinn-Ethan Werek-Sergey Tolchinsky
Second line: Anthony Camara-Andrew Poturalski-Justin Shugg
Third line: Kyle Hagel-David Wohlberg-Erik Karlsson
Fourth line: Brendan Woods-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
Defensive Pairings as of now
First pairing: Trevor Carrick-Dennis Robertson
Second pairing: Keegan Lowe-Mike Cornell
Third pairing: Jake Chelios-Tyler Ganly
