Charlotte Checkers Report (March 6)
Amidst a number of roster changes, the Charlotte Checkers weathered their 6-game roadtrip by coming back to Charlotte 3-3. They split last weekend’s series against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and beat the Hershey Bears on Sunday to cap off the busy weekend. Given the circumstances, I consider that a success for the team as they now are back in Charlotte preparing for a 6-game homestand that begins tonight against the Utica Comets. Currently the Checkers sit in 4th place in the Atlantic Division, six points ahead of 5th place Thunderbirds and eight points behind first place Bears.
gocheckers.com
The Checkers dropped the first game last weekend to the Phantoms in a 5-3 contest. Goaltender Mike Condon had a rough time giving up four goals on just 19 shots faced. The last minute empty netter by the Phantoms would seal the deal. Jake Bean, Mark Cooper, and Max McCormick all scored goals for Charlotte. But the Checkers bounced back in a nice way the next night scoring four goals in route to a 4-2 victory. Callum Booth earned the win for the Checkers in the net, turning away 21 of 23 shots faced. Four different Checkers found themselves in the scoring column that night, as they scored four consecutive goals before the Phantoms would get on the board.
Usually after a two-game weekend series the team is preparing for at least a few off days, but that wouldn’t be the case last weekend. After the two games in Lehigh Valley, the Checkers had to travel to Hershey, PA to take on the first place Bears. Newly added goalie Keith Kincaid did his part in the win with 28 saves on the night, but this game was all about Center Morgan Geekie. With a goal in all three periods, Geekie earned the hat trick, the first of his career, along with an assist. The incredible performance put Charlotte over the top in a big time 6-3 win.
Finally back on home ice tonight, the Checkers will take on the North Division’s third place team, the Utica Comets. Tonight will be a “Beach Night” theme and tomorrow will be a special “Miracle on Ice” night, celebrating the anniversary of the famous USA hockey victory. You definitely don’t want to miss it. Then after two days off, the Cleveland Monsters will be in town for a mid-week series starting on Tuesday. Get your tickets to any of these games now at the team’s website gocheckers.com. It will be an important and exciting week of action in Checkers country. Go Checkers!
Garett