Charlotte Checkers Check-In (March 15)
Photo: charlottefive.com
Good morning Checkers fans. It’s a great day today because it’s Friday and the Checkers are back at home tonight kicking off a weekend series against the Rochester Americans. Last weekend the team was on the road taking on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where they split the series 1-1. After Sunday’s victory, the Checkers now stand at 85 points on the season. While they still lead the AHL in points, their lead has narrowed to just two. The team behind them? The Rochester Americans. The Checkers currently lead the Atlantic Division by six points over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Photo: stanza.co
Last Friday’s action against the Phantoms saw a scoreless 1st period, even after the Checkers put 13 shots on goal. It was the 2nd period that ultimately doomed Charlotte, as they gave up three unanswered goals. It wasn’t a bad game for goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, but he’s been so good this season it sort of felt that way. Two goals from Aleksi Saarela in the 3rd put the Checkers back in it, but a failed late push gave way to the horn and a 3-2 loss. It was their first loss after winning four straight.
After getting Saturday off, the Checkers were back in action on Sunday in Lehigh Valley. The team was looking to redeem themselves from Friday and so was Nedeljkovic. And redemption is exactly what they both got. Nedeljkovic turned away all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout, his fifth of the season (tied for the AHL lead). The defense was stingy as well, helping Nedeljkovic all afternoon. Nick Schilkey led the way for the offense with two goals (one in the 1st and one in the 3rd) while Tomas Jurco and Nicolas Roy both beat the Phantoms goalie as well. Jurco has been excellent for the Checkers since recently joining the team, and hopefully will continue to be big down the stretch of the season.
Even though this weekend’s series is not a divisional matchup, it will be a lot of fun with the AHL points-lead in the balance. Charlotte has maintained the lead all season, so I personally want to see them finish the season with it pretty badly. The Americans have won eight of their last ten and four in a row, so the Checkers will be tasked with stopping a very hot team. The Checkers themselves however, have won seven of their last ten. This will be a heavyweight battle between these two teams and will be a big time atmosphere in Bojangles Coliseum tonight and tomorrow. Make sure to grab your tickets and come on out to enjoy some great hockey! You can get tickets for tonight be clicking HERE, while you can get tickets for tomorrow night’s game by clicking HERE. Let’s go Checkers!
Garett