The Checkers were still riding high after beating Milwaukee 7-2 Friday (Oct. 16), but they hit a speed bump, as the team lost to Chicago 9-5 Saturday (Oct, 17).
Three Stars for the week
Sergey Tolchinsky, did not score this week, but he did tally three assists in the two games the Checkers played. Tolchinsky on multiple occasions over the first four games, has been able to evade pressure from the opposing defense by just stick handling his way around defenders. His impressive stick handling skills have led to him setting his teammates up for several high scoring chances. Phil Di Giuseppe put up three points over the weekend. Di Giuseppe has also been very good so far this season with setting up his teammates. He has three assists for the season and is second on the team in points with five. Trevor Carrick tallied four points in the Checkers loss on Saturday. He scored two goals and added two assists. Carrick has looked confident so far handling the puck in the offensive zone. He has also been effective when running the power play, and it has led to him putting the puck in the net twice this season on the power play.
Who’s Hot
Jake Chelios put up four points in his first two games of the season. He tallied three assists his first game and early in his second game he was able to bury the puck on a fast break. Derek Ryan continued to play well as he had three points. Ryan has showed over the first four games he knows where to be on the ice on the offensive zone. Both goals he had happened because he was in the right spot on the ice to receive a pass and and shoot the puck.
Who’s Not
Drew MacIntyre and Rasmus Tirronen both had shaky games against Chicago. Tirronen started the game but was pulled after two early goals. MacIntyre was pulled in the second period after he faced twelve shots and allowed five goals. Tirronen ended the game facing eighteen shots and allowing four goals.
Injury and roster notes
Justin Shugg missed the Checkers game against Chicago with an upper body injury. Brett Pesce was recalled by the Hurricanes for the weekend but did not play in either game before being returned to the Charlotte on October 18. Brock Mcginn was also called up by the Hurricanes and still remains with the Hurricanes. He had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut last Friday.
Forward line pairings as of now:
- First line: Phil Di Giuseppe-Derek Ryan-Sergey Tolchinsky
- Second line: Erik Karlsson-T.J. Hensick-Zach Boychuk
- Third line: Brendan Woods-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
- Fourth line: Kyle Hagel-David Wohlberg-Carter Sandlack
Defensive line pairings as of now:
- First pairing: Rasmus Rissanen-Keegan Lowe
- Second pairing: Trevor Carrick-Jacob Slavin
- Third pairing: Brett Pesce-Danny Biega
- Fourth pairing: Jake Chelios-Tyler Ganly
Up next for the Checkers is Wednesday and Friday games in Grand Rapids. The Checkers also play at Chicago again on Sunday.
