The Checkers are now in the last few games of the season after finishing last week. They started off the week strong beating Texas 6-3 on Friday (Apr. 1) but they would slip up the very next day against Texas on Saturday (Apr. 2) losing 4-3 in overtime. They would then round out the last two games of the week against Rockford on Tuesday (Apr. 5) winning 2-1 and Wednesday (Apr. 6) losing by a score of 2-1.
Three Stars of the week
Anthony Camara found the back of the net twice the past week, and both goals were scored in similar ways. Both were a product of being in the right place in front of the net to be able to tap the puck in. Camara’s first goal was also the overtime winner on Tuesday night. Brock McGinn came back to play his first game for the team since being injured on March 10th. He played like he never left the lineup and found the back of the net three times. His first goal of the week was a beautiful play where he stole a Texas pass in the defensive zone and took it the length of the ice by himself to fire the puck into the net. Sergey Tolchinsky topped everyone’s performance and had himself a four-point week. Tolchinsky’s first two goals were tap-in shots, almost right on top of the Texas team’s goalie. His third goal was a thing of beauty, as he carried the puck into the Texas zone and patiently waited for the goalie to make the first move before ripping the puck into the net.
Who’s Hot
Justin Shugg might not have stood out too much with how he played this week, but don’t let that fool you. Shugg had three points and he played solid minutes on the second line. The only goal he scored came in the first game to break what at the time was a 2-2 tie. The Checkers didn’t look back for the rest of the game after he scored that goal. Zach Miskovic was another guy who did not look like a stand-out while playing last week, but he also had three points. All three of his points were assists but the Checkers have to be happy with his early output after just signing him.
Who’s Not
It does not feel right doing this but Daniel Altshuller finds himself here again. The only game he started in the Checkers came up short in a shoot-out and and Altshuller let in a funky first goal that he initially saved but he let puck bounce off his pads and back into the net. Altshuller has not won a game he started since since February 28th.
Injury and roster notes
Andrew Miller, Blair Jones, Danny Biega, Valentin Zykov, and Rasmus Risannen all missed games due to injury. Derek Arnold and Tyler Ganly were healthy extras for at least one game. The Hurricanes called up Sergey Tolchinsky on Wednesday (Mar. 30) and sent him back down to Charlotte Friday (Apr. 1). The Hurricanes sent down Derek Ryan on Friday (Apr. 1). The Hurricanes called up Brody Sutter and Brendan Woods on Saturday (Apr. 2) and sent them back down on the same day. The Hurricanes sent Patrick Brown down to Charlotte on Saturday (Apr. 2).
Forward lines as of now
First line: Brock McGinn-Derek Ryan-Sergey Tolchinsky
Second line: Anthony Camara-Andrew Poturalski-Justin Sugg
Third line: Brendan Woods-Brody Sutter-Ethan Werek
Fourth line: Kyle Hagel-David Wohlberg-Erik Karlsson
Defensive pairings as of now
First pairing: Trevor Carrick-Dennis Robertson
Second pairing: Jake Chelios-Zach Miskovic
Third pairing: Keegan Lowe-Mike Cornell
