Checkers News

After a rough start to the month, the Checkers continue to heat up, downing the Wild 4-2 to notch their third straight win.

Unlike last night, it was the Wild who got on the board first, with Zack Mitchell firing a one-timer off the post and in. Despite outshooting their opponent 13-7, the Checkers couldn’t find the back of the net, and Iowa headed into the first intermission ahead 1-0.

The middle frame saw the Checkers’ offense take off, starting with a Brock McGinn strike 58 seconds in. Zach Boychuk put the home team on top less than four minutes later by deflecting a blast that found its way through a mess of traffic, and then Keegan Lowe extended the lead midway through the frame, following up a rush and banging in the rebound. Zack Phillips pulled the Wild back within striking distance, however, with a late goal to send the game to the third with the Checkers leading 3-2.

The two clubs battled to a stalemate most of the third, with the Wild pressuring and outshooting the Checkers 11-7. But Brendan Woods put the game away with a tally in the waning moments of regulation, and the Checkers skated off with a three-game winning streak, the longest such streak they have seen this season.

After being unable to convert in the first, the Checkers regrouped and came out firing on all cylinders in the second, propelling themselves to the win.

“I liked the way we played the first, we just played a little faster and a little better execution in and around the net,” said head coach Jeff Daniels of the second period. “I thought we came out and played with a purpose with getting more pucks deep to establish a cycle game. We did that and we were able to capitalize on three goals.”

Tonight’s offensive outburst continued the roll that the team has been on as of late, scoring at least three goals in each of their last three games (all wins). A huge part of that success has been the emergence of McGinn, who has racked up five points during this three-game stretch.

“It’s just a matter of keep going to the net and not changing anything,” said Daniels, comparing McGinn’s current hot streak to a 29-game goal drought immediately prior. “He didn’t change his game, he kept playing the same way and kept going to the net. Now he’s getting rewarded.”

After enduring a tough stretch of close calls but no points, McGinn is starting to see those bounces go his way. To his teammates, it’s no surprise.

“He’s been snake bitten,” said Woods, whose goal tonight was his first since returning from an injury that sidelined him for six games. “I’ve never seen a guy get so many chances and not put them away. I just knew it was a matter of time before they started going in and right now he’s on fire and I’m kind of glad to be on his line with all that’s going on. It makes me feel good.”

You can add McGinn’s name to the list of Checkers players that have caught fire recently, alongside Alex Aleardi and Boychuk, the latter of whom now has three points in his last three games. That group has led the charge on what has been the team’s best stretch of the season.

“It’s nice to have a few guys going,” said Daniels. “Chucky scored, Rosey’s making plays, Brock’s hot, Woodsy’s back in the lineup and that gives us some size and some speed. It’s good to see all four lines producing.”

One of the Checkers’ biggest issues this season has been stringing wins together, as prior to this stretch they had only won back-to-back games once. Putting these performances together this week is certainly a step in the right direction for a team desperately trying to claw their way into the playoff picture.

“I’m sure it’s been on everyone’s back that we want to string a few together and not just win one, lose one, win two and then lose one,” said Lowe, whose three-point night led all skaters. “It definitely feels nice to get three in a row and hopefully we can keep it going.”

“We’re finally getting to the point where the young guys, we’re not looking at them as rookies anymore, they’ve played plenty of games now and they know what the league’s all about and we’re all starting to come together,” said Woods. “Hopefully we can keep this going and kind of get back in the playoff hunt again.”

The team will practice tomorrow before traveling to Toronto for a pair of games next week against the Marlies. With the number of games left on the schedule dwindling, the Checkers know they must keep this hot streak going.

“We’re going into Toronto, a team we’re trying to catch to move up in the standings,” said Daniels. “We saw them last time and they’re a big, strong team. Just keep playing our game and keep working and keep working together and staying positive.”

NOTES

The last time the Checkers won three in a row was part of a four-game streak from March 25-30 of last season … Lowe’s three points were a career high. His goal was his first career game-winner … Prior to scoring four goals in his last three games, McGinn went 29 games without a goal and 20 games without a point … Iowa’s streak of seven consecutive regulation losses is the longest by an AHL team this season … Prior to winning each of his last three starts, Muse had won only one of his previous seven. He has stopped 199 of 209 shots (.952 save percentage) over his last six appearances … LaRose’s assist game him 19 points (12g, 7a) in his last 25 games … After failing to score more than two goals in six consecutive games, the Checkers netted three or more in each of their last three. Their 11 total goals during that span equal their total from their previous seven games … Defenseman Michal Jordan recorded the primary assist on McGinn’s goal after being reassigned from Carolina earlier in the day … Forward Kyle Hagel missed the game due to illness … Forwards Gabriel Desjardins and Greg Nemisz and defenseman Rasmus Rissanen missed the game due to injury.