BUSY WEEK HAS THIS UP A BIT LATE; IT COVERS GAMES THROUGH MARCH 28.
The Checkers started off their week strong by beating down Manitoba on Saturday (Mar. 26) by a score of 6-2. Manitoba, though, would get its revenge on Monday (Mar. 28) beating Charlotte in a low scoring 2-1 game.
Three stars of the week
Derek Arnold made his debut with the Checkers on Saturday night after signing a try out contract with the team for the rest of the season. In his debut he scored the first AHL goal of his career and tallied the first assist of his AHL career as well. Arnold’s goal was a perfectly placed shot that was ripped over the shoulder of goalie Eric Comrie that chased him from the game. The Checkers could not have been happier with, Erik Karlsson’s performance on Saturday night. He tallied two goals and played his best game of the season. Karlsson has picked up his play since being sent down to Florida earlier this March. Derek Ryan just seems to fall into this category every single week. He put up three points this week and when his line was out on the ice, they controlled the puck and the game. Ryan was also the only Checker able to put the puck in the back of the net on Monday night.
Who’s Hot
The Checkers first line looked quite comfortable playing together in the two games they played. Sergey Tolchinsky, Derek Ryan, and Justin Shugg all had multiple points this week and the majority of time they were on the ice together, they controlled the puck in the Manitoba zone. John Muse continued his consistent play in net. Even though he is not winning every game, Muse is keeping the team calm with his play. He has been consistent with his play, and consistently good goaltending is not something the Checkers have seen much of this season.
Who’s Not
Brock McGinn has not played in a game for the Checkers since March 10th. He left that game with an injury and did not return. McGinn is here in this category for the same reason Valentin Zykov was here last week. The Checkers need McGinn on the ice not in a suit if they want to make the playoffs this year. McGinn would give the Checkers a big boost and he would be another dangerous weapon for the Checkers to have late in the season for their offensive arsenal.
Injury and roster notes
Brock McGinn, Dane Fox, Andrew Miller, Ethan Werek, Valentin Zykov, Danny Biega, Anthony Camara, and Rasmus Risannen all missed a game due to injury. The Checkers signed Zach Miskovic and Derek Arnold to player try out contracts on Friday (Mar. 25) and Saturday (Mar. 26) respectively. The Checkers signed Brian Ward to an amateur tryout contract on Saturday (Mar. 26). The Huricanes recalled Brody Sutter on Thursday (Mar. 24) and sent him back down Wednesday (Mar. 30). The Hurricanes recalled Patrick Brown from Charlotte on Friday (Mar. 25). The Hurricanes recalled Derek Ryan from Charlotte on Tuesday (Mar. 29).
Forward lines as of now
First line: Sergey Tolchinsky-Brody Sutter-Justin Shugg
Second line: Brendan Woods–Blair Jones-Derek Arnold
Third line: Brian Ward-Andrew Poturalski-Erik Karlsson
Fourth line: Kyle Hagle-David Wohlberg-Tyler Ganly
Defensive pairings as of now
First pairing: Trevor Carrick-Dennis Robertson
Second pairing: Keegan Lowe-Mike Cornell
Third pairing: Jake Chelios-Zach Miskovic
