Game 61: Grand Rapids Griffins at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Thursday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (23-31-5-1), Griffins (36-17-6-1)

The Charlotte Checkers, who narrowly missed sending Tuesday night's game to overtime thanks to a strong push with Drew MacIntyre off for an extra attacker, gave the hottest team in the AHL just about all they could handle in an eventual 3-2 loss.

Rookie left wing Brock McGinn continued his torrid offensive pace with the Checkers' first goal on Tuesday. The 21-year-old second-round pick now has seven points (6g, 1a) over his last 10 games and 20 points (11g, 9a) on the season.

Tonight is the second of four games this week for the Checkers. Following this series with the Rapids, the team will head on a season-long six-game road trip, starting with a pair of games in Oklahoma City.

Recent Transactions: The Checkers released Gabriel Desjardins from his PTO on Wednesday.

Notes: The Griffins win over the Checkers on Tuesday ran their current point streak to 16 games. That matches the longest such streak in the franchise's history and is the longest in the AHL since the 2011-12 season. ... Grand Rapids rookie Andrea Athanasiou, who scored a highlight-reel goal on Tuesday, now has 13 goals on the season. ... Zach Boychuk (10-7-17) has points in five-straight games and 10 over his last 11 contests. ... Rookie Trevor Carrick (6-13-19) leads all Checkers defenseman in scoring and has five points in his last five games. ... Justin Shugg (16-15-31) has eight points in his last nine contests. ... Tonight's game will be Brendan Woods' 99th as a professional. ... Tonight is the sixth of eight regular-season games between the Griffins and Checkers. Grand Rapids has won four of the five games thus far. ... The Griffins are 17-1-3-0 over their last 21 and currently sit first in the Western Conference.

Checkers lines:  

Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
Brock McGinn-Brendan Woods- Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Ben Holmstrom-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Sean Dolan-Jared Staal

Trevor Carrick-Danny Biega
Dennis Robertson-Mike Cornell
Austin Levi-Beau Schmitz

Drew MacIntyre
John Muse

Healthy scratches: Carter Sandlak

Injured/out: Forwards Chad LaRose (upper Body) and Greg Nemisz (knee) and defenseman Keegan Lowe (undisclosed) have been ruled out of Thursday's game due to injuries.

Game 60: Grand Rapids Griffins at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (23-30-5-1), Griffins (35-17-6-1)

The Charlotte Checkers will close out a five-game home stand with back-to-back showdowns with the Western Conference-leading Grand Rapids Griffins beginning on Tuesday and Thursday. The Checkers are 2-1 on their current home stand and have won five of their last six overall at Time Warner Cable Arena to bring their season home record to 16-12-2.

*The Observer released a profile on Checkers' rookie forward Brock McGinn today online. It will run in print on Wednesday.

Recent Transactions: none.

Notes: Reigning AHL goal-scoring champion Zach Boychuk has found his scoring touch of late with six goals and nine points in his last ten games. Boychuk is the Checkers' all-time leader with 112 goals in 267 games played. He is currently riding a four-game point streak, tied for the longest active streak on the team with Trevor Carrick (2G, 3A). Carrick currently leads all Checkers defensemen in goals (6) and points (19) and is tied for seventh among AHL rookie blue liners in scoring. ... Patrick Brown recorded his first pro fight during Charlotte's 4-2 win over Norfolk on Sunday. ... Charlotte's 7-18-4 mark on the road is the worst in the AHL this season. ... Following Thursday's game, the Checkers will take off on their longest road trip of the season, beginning Saturday in Oklahoma City. ... The Griffins are 9-0-1-0 over their last 10 games and enter Charlotte well rested after a 3-2 overtime win over the Rockford Ice Hogs on Saturday.

Checkers lines: 

Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
Brock McGinn-Brendan Woods- Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Ben Holmstrom-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Sean Dolan-Jared Staal

Trevor Carrick-Danny Biega
Dennis Robertson-Mike Cornell
Austin Levi-Beau Schmitz

Drew MacIntyre
John Muse

Healthy scratches: Kyle Hagel

Injured/out: Forwards Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed), Chad LaRose (upper Body) and Greg Nemisz (knee) and defenseman Keegan Lowe (undisclosed) have been ruled out of Tuesday's game due to injuries.

Game 59: Norfolk Admirals at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (22-30-5-1), Admirals (22-29-4-3)

The Charlotte Checkers entered Thursday’s contest in search of a franchise-best fifth-straight home win, but came up short, falling 5-2 to the San Antonio Rampage. The club will look to start another streak beginning Sunday afternoon when they host the Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Norfolk Admirals.

Recent Transactions: none.

Notes: After taking a couple games to get back into rhythm following his return from the NHL midway through the season, Zach Boychuk has gotten back on track with six goals in his last nine games, including goals in three straight contests. … Rookie defenseman Trevor Carrick has points in a career-best three-straight games and goals in each of his last two. … The Checkers improved to 2-2-2 against Norfolk this season with a 4-3 shootout win in their last meeting on Feb. 16. Three of the last four matchups between the two clubs have gone to overtime. … Extra hockey could work in the Checkers’ favor, as goaltender Drew MacIntyre has been nearly perfect in shootouts this season, stopping 19 of 20. … The Admirals are winless in their last four contests and 3-5-1-1 over their last 10. … Sunday is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day for the Checkers and there will be a postgame skate with the team. Cost of admission is $5 for those bringing their own skates and $7 for those who need to rent. All proceeds benefit the Checkers Charitable Foundation.

Checkers lines: 

Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
Brock McGinn-Brendan Woods- Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Ben Holmstrom-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Sean Dolan-Jared Staal

Trevor Carrick-Danny Biega
Dennis Robertson-Mike Cornell
Austin Levi-Beau Schmitz

Drew MacIntyre  
John Muse

Healthy scratches: Carter Sandlak

Injured/out: Forwards Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed), Chad LaRose (upper Body) and Greg Nemisz (knee) and defenseman Keegan Lowe (undisclosed) have been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup due to injuries.

Game 58: San Antonio Rampage at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Thursday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (22-29-5-1), Rampage (31-19-5-1)

The Checkers are looking for their fifth-straight win at Time Warner Cable Arena tonight and they'll have the services of left wing Brock McGinn, who served his one-game suspension for charging on last night. McGinn has been on fire as of late with five goals in his last seven games.

Zach Boychuk and Trevor Carrick scored in regulation for the Checkers in last night's win before Danny Biega netted the deciding shootout goal. Drew MacIntyre stopped 40 of 42 shots on the night and was named the game's 1st Star.

Recent Transactions: none.

Notes: The Checkers improved to 2-2-2 against San Antonio this season with last night's 3-2 shootout win. Drew MacIntyre has been in net for each game, posting a 2.39 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He has now stopped 19 of 20 in the shootout this season. … Zach Boychuk has seven points (5g, 2a) in his last eight games, including three power-play goals in his last four … The Rampage's game-tying goal in the third period ended the Checkers’ streak of 20 consecutive penalties killed (seven full games) since their last power-play goal allowed on Feb. 12. It was their second-longest streak of the season. … Mike Cornell earned his 250th professional penalty minute with a second-period fight on Wednesday… For more Checkers thoughts, see today's earlier post.

Checkers lines: 

Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Patrick Brown
Brock McGinn-Brendan Woods- Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Ben Holmstrom-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Sean Dolan-Jared Staal

Trevor Carrick-Danny Biega
Dennis Robertson-Beau Schmitz
Austin Levi-Mike Cornell

John Muse
Drew MacIntyre      

Healthy scratches: Carter Sandlak

Injured/out: Chad LaRose (upper body), Keegan Lowe (undisclosed) Greg Nemisz (out for season - knee), Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed). 

Game 42: Oklahoma City Barons at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Thursday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (15-20-5-1), Barons (27-9-2-3)

The Checkers will play the middle game of a three-in-three set on Thursday as they host the Oklahoma City Barons in the first of back-to-back games at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The Checkers fell, 3-2, in the last second of overtime in Norfolk on Wednesday. Though the loss was a tough one to take with Drew MacIntyre turning away 45 shots, the result still gave Charlotte points in six of its last eight games (4-2-2).

After these two games against the Barons, who currently hold the best record in the league, the Checkers (minus Ryan Murphy) will head home for the AHL's All-Star break.

Murphy (0-12-12)  is Charlotte's lone representative in the All-Star game.

Notes: The Barons have won 11 of their last 14 contests and currently hold the best record in the AHL. They rank in the top-five in goals per game, power-play percentage and boast a top-10 penalty killing unit. ... With an empty-net goal to seal the Checkers' win over Toronto on Jan. 16, Zach Boychuk became the franchise's all-time goals leader with 105, surpassing longtime teammate Chris Terry. In six games since returning from an extended NHL stint with Carolina on Jan. 8, Boychuk has four points (2g, 2a), all of which have come in his last three outings. ... With one point scored in each of his last three games (1g, 2a), Chad LaRose has taken sole posession of the team scoring lead with 22 points (10g, 12a). The alternate captain has put up 11 of those points in his last 14 games (6g, 5a). ... Kyle Hagel's goal in Norfolk on Wednesday - his 30th birthday - was his first at any level since April 12, 2013 (82 games). ... The Checkers went 2-for-3 on the power play against Toronto on Jan. 16, snapping a 1-for-41 skid over their previous 11 games. The club did not get a chance to continue that momentum in Norfolk on Wednesday as it did not receive a power play for just the second time in team history (first since April 13, 2012 at Peoria).

Checkers lines:

Brock McGinn-Ben Holmstrom-Chad LaRose
Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Brendan Woods-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Patrick Brown-Jared Staal

Michal Jordan-Ryan Murphy
Rasmus Rissanen-Danny Biega
Trevor Carrick-Keegan Lowe

John Muse
Drew MacIntyre

Healthy scratches: Carter Sandlak, Dennis Robertson.

Injured/out: Greg Nemisz (knee), Beau Schmitz (undisclosed), Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed).

Checkers resurrect power play in 4-1 win over Marlies

As Chad LaRose tumbled to the ice behind the Toronto Marlies’ net and the arm of the on-ice official went up, a Charlotte Checkers fan let out an audible groan.

“It’s a bad joke,” the fan said. “Our guy gets tripped and the referee goes and punishes the Checkers by putting them on the power play!”

That’s how bad Charlotte has been with a man advantage this season.

It entered Friday night just 1-for-41 (2.4 percent) over its last 11 games and ranked dead last in the American Hockey League in power-play scoring, with a season-long percentage of 8.3.

(The lowest recorded power-play percentage for a season in AHL history is 10.4, set by the Rochester Americans in 2001-02.)

The ensuing power play started out the same as so many this season, with the Checkers struggling to carry the puck into the offensive end, but then something unusual happened.

With Justin Shugg (1G, 1A) running point, the puck zipped from Checker to Checker, eventually going from the tape of Danny Biega’s stick to a waiting Trevor Carrick, whose slap shot was redirected in at the last possible moment by Ben Holmstrom with a full 23 seconds still remaining on the power play.

The special-teams goal was the first of two in the game for the Checkers, who defeated the Marlies, 4-1, in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,462 at Time Warner Cable Arena on Friday.

“It got to the point where we were looking to do anything,” Checkers coach Jeff Daniels said when asked about shifting Shugg to the point on the power play. “Our power play has struggled all year and (Shugg) is a guy that’s capable of making a play.

“He’s a threat to shoot, but he can also make a play and I talked to him about it and at that point we had nothing to lose,” Daniels continued. “Tonight, it looked good.” 

It was the first time all season the Checkers (15-20-4-1) recorded more than a single power-play goal in a game and their first power-play goal on home ice since most of Charlotte was still Christmas shopping (Dec. 19).

LaRose would add the eventual game-winner during the Checkers’ next power play, thanks to an intentionally wide shot by Shugg that made its way to the assistant captain’s stick before Toronto goalie Christopher Gibson (18 saves) could react.

The win – which was made less stressful by a late goal in the third period by Shugg and an empty netter by Zach Boychuk (1G, 2A) – was the first ever against the Marlies franchise for the Checkers (1-5-0-0 all time) and avenged a 4-1 loss to Toronto (17-16-6-0) on Thursday.

Charlotte finished the night 2-for-3 with a man advantage, but their third attempt was cut short when LaRose was called for goaltender interference 10 seconds in.

They will now enjoy a four-day break before heading to Norfolk to take on the Admirals.

“It’s (frustrating),” Shugg said. “You watch teams score a couple power-play goals against us and our power play just wasn’t clicking there for about a month or two. Hopefully, we can keep this going and don’t jinx it. Special teams can win you games.”

Game 40: Toronto Marlies at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Friday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (14-20-4-1), Marlies (17-15-6-0)

The Checkers looked flat in their return to Time Warner Cable Arena on Thursday in a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Marlies. Zach Boychuk scored the lone goal for Charlotte, which has now recorded two or fewer goals in 26 of its last 39 games and nine of its last 10 overall. The road win extended the Marlies current point streak to 10 games.

Following Friday night's game, the Checkers will have four days to rest and recuperate before traveling to Norfolk to take on the Admirals.

Notes: Zach Boychuk's goal on Thursday gave hime 104 for his Checkers career and tied him with old friend Chris Terry for the franchise's all-time goals record. ... Chad LaRose -- who gave his first interview of the season to ESPN earlier this week -- leads the Checkers in scoring (9-11-20) and has recorded points in three of his last five games. ... The Checkers released forward Andrew Rowe from his professional tryout contract just prior to their game on Thursday and immediately following the loss, reassigned defenseman Austin Levi to Stockton of the ECHL. ... Rowe, 26, played 28 games with the Checkers after initially beginning the season in the ECHL. During that time, he notched five points (1g, 4a). ... Levi, 22, went scoreless with no penalty minutes in four games. ... In five matchups all time, the Checkers (0-5-0-0) are yet to record a point against the Marlies.

Checkers lines: 

Brock McGinn-Ben Holmstrom-Chad LaRose
Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Justin Shugg
Carter Sandlak-Brendan Woods-Phil Di Giuseppe
Kyle Hagel-Patrick Brown-Jared Staal

Rasmus Rissanen-Danny Biega
Trevor Carrick-Michal Jordan
Dennis Robertson-Keegan Lowe

John Muse
Drew MacIntyre

Healthy scratches: Alex Aleardi.

Injured/out: Greg Nemisz (knee), Beau Schmitz (undisclosed), Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed).

Game 39: Toronto Marlies at Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Thursday, 7 p.m.

TV/Radio info: AHL Live / Online

Records: Checkers (14-19-4-1), Marlies (16-15-6-0)

The Checkers return to Time Warner Cable Arena fresh off a 3-2 shootout victory in Rockford on Tuesday to host a pair of games against the Toronto Marlies, Charlotte goaltender Drew MacIntyre’s former team, this Thursday and Friday.

In Tuesday’s outing MacIntyre, 31, made 41 saves to take over sole possession of 10th place on the AHL’s all-time wins list with 204 career victories. It appears as thought Brody Sutter (lower body) will be able to return tonight from an injury that has kept him off the ice since mid-November.

Notes: Following this past Tuesday's game, Andrej Nestrasil (conditioning stint) was recalled to Raleigh by Carolina. Nestrasil, 23, appeared in three road games for Charlotte and was held scoreless. … With 18 points in 36 games, Brendan Woods (who scored on Tuesday) has now more than doubled the eight points he posted as a rookie in 42 games last season. … After going 0-for-4 on Tuesday, the Checkers are now 1-for-38 on the power play over their last 10 games (2.6 percent). That mark should improve with the additions of both Zach Boychuk and Michal Jordan, who cleared waivers at noon Thursday and were resigned by the Checkers. ... In Boychuk, the Checkers receive the AHL’s reigning goal-scoring champion (36 last season), who should provide a boost to an offense that ranks 28th in the league with an average of 2.26 per contest. Boychuk also led the league in power-play goals with 18; something the 30th-ranked Checkers (9.1 percent) are in dire need of some help with. … Boychuk is only two goals away from tying Chris Terry for the franchise’s all-time lead (104). ... In Jordan, Charlotte gets back its captain and best overall defender.

Checkers lines: 

Brock McGinn-Ben Holmstrom-Chad LaRose
Zach Boychuk-Brody Sutter-Justin Shugg
Phil Di Giuseppe-Brendan Woods-Alex Aleardi
Kyle Hagel-Patrick Brown-Jared Staal

Rasmus Rissanen-Danny Biega
Trevor Carrick-Michal Jordan
Dennis Robertson-Keegan Lowe

Drew MacIntyre
John Muse

Healthy scratches: Austin Levi, Carter Sandlak.

Injured/out: Greg Nemisz (knee), Beau Schmitz (undisclosed), Gabriel Desjardins (undisclosed).