The Checkers played a successful week of games beating San Antonio 3-2 on Wednesday (Dec. 9). They also would go on to beat Texas 5-4 on Friday (Dec. 11).
Three Stars of the Week
Ryan Murphy played solid on the back line in both games for the Checkers. Murphy tallied two points in the two games the Checkers played, and looked extremely confident with the puck on his stick. He makes good decisions and does not seem phased by the pressure opposing teams put on him. Derek Ryan played hero in the Checkers game on Tuesday, scoring the game winning goal with seven seconds left. Ryan put up a total of five points in the two games the Checkers played. He continues to make the Checkers coaching staff look smart by consistently putting up points. Ryan now has 22 points in 24 games, and that is good enough for 12th place in the league in points. Brock McGinn scored the overtime goal for the Checkers on Friday. He like Ryan also put up five points in the two games the Checkers played this week. McGinn now looks much more comfortable playing with his line mates than he did when he came back from his first stint with Hurricanes this season.
Who’s Hot
David Wohlberg made the most of his minutes chipping in with one goal in both the Checkers games this week. The Checkers first line was persistent in the offensive zone in the two games the Checkers played. Brock McGinn, Derek Ryan, and Justin Shugg combined for 13 points in the Checkers two games. Each time the three of them were on the ice the Checkers seemed to create multiple scoring chances.
Who’s Not
Drayson Bowman failed to put up any points of his own this past week for the Checkers. Bowman only has three points on the season so far, and he seems to disappear sometimes when he is on the ice. Right now he does not look like the player that he was when he last played in Charlotte. Bowman looks like he is still trying to adjust to playing with his new Checkers teammates. Hopefully for the team things will start clicking soon for him.
Injury and roster notes
Brendan Woods missed both games with an injury. T.J. Hensick made his return to the lineup on Friday for the first time since (Nov. 8). Erik Karlsson and Mike Cornell were healthy scratches for both games. Ryan Murphy was suspended three games by the AHL on Monday (Dec. 14) for clipping. The moment happened during the Checkers game Friday with Texas. The Hurricanes sent defenseman Michal Jordan back to Charlotte on Monday (Dec. 14) for a conditioning stint. The Checkers sent down goalie Rasmus Tirronen to the Florida Everblades on Monday (Dec. 14) and called up Everblades goalie Daniel Altshuller.
Forward line pairings as of now
First line: Brock McGinn-Derek Ryan-Justin Shugg
Second line: Sergey Tolchinsky-T.J. Hensick-Patrick Brown
Third line: Drayson Bowman-Brody Sutter- Zach Boychuk
Fourth line: Kyle Hagel-David Wohlberg-Carter Sandlak
Defensive line pairings as of now
First pairing: Trevor Carrick-Danny Biega
Second pairing: Rasmus Rissanen-Michal Jordan
Third pairing: Jake Chelios-Keegan Lowe
