Checkers News

Coming off their worst loss of the season, the Checkers got vengeance on the Texas Stars, downing them 3-1.

After surrendering five straight goals in the first period on Saturday, the Checkers came out of the gates hot in Monday’s rematch. Brendan Woods put the Checkers on the board first when he followed up a Danny Biega breakaway and put home the rebound on the doorstep for a shorthanded goal. The Checkers took the lead into the intermission, but Travis Morin evened the score early in the second, ripping a one-timer that found its way in.

The deadlock was short-lived, as Greg Nemisz lit the lamp less than five minutes later. Nemisz carried the puck out from the corner and stuffed it around the pads of Jack Campbell for what proved to be the game-winner. Brody Sutter iced the game with an empty netter and the Checkers came away with the victory.

Despite being just two days ago, Saturday’s 8-2 drubbing, the most lopsided score seen in the AHL this season, did not seem to linger over the team.

“It was a great character win and just a matter of moving on from last game,” said head coach Jeff Daniels. “That game was over and done with and we had a new chance tonight to come out and prove that we were a better team than what we showed the other night.”

“That was an embarrassing night,” said goalie Drew MacIntyre of Saturday’s prequel. “I was ashamed individually, and team-wise it was one of the worst I’ve seen in my career. It was really ugly and was an absolute schooling, and it was huge we were able to respond like this.”

One of the biggest impacts made in tonight’s game was by the Checkers’ penalty killing unit. They shut down the third-ranked power play in the league, holding them to 0-for-4, and even chipped in a shorthanded goal.

“Our PK are workers, our five-on-five are workers,” said Daniels. “They’re doing a great job and (assistant coach) Geordie (Kinnear) is doing a great job with them right now.”

MacIntyre was back between the pipes for Charlotte after getting torched for five goals on nine shots and being pulled in the first period of Saturday’s game. While many goalies could have been shaken by such a performance, MacIntyre rebounded with a stellar game, shutting the door on a high-powered Texas offense.

“He’s a pro and the experience comes into play there with the ability to move on after a bad loss by the team,” said Daniels. “He’s a proven winner and he showed that tonight.”

“I’ve been there,” said MacIntyre. “I’ve been around for a while. It’s not the first time I’ve had a really bad game like that and it won’t be my last, hopefully for a long time. You put it behind you if you have a really good game and you put it behind you if you have a really bad game. If you want to stick around in pro hockey and be a consistent player you have no choice.”

Tonight’s effort and drive from all players across the board seemed to be ramped up from two nights ago, and for Daniels, that was a key part of getting the win.

“We talked about moving from last game, it’s over and done with,” said Daniels. “They score a goal, let’s drop the puck and get right back at them. Goals happen. It’s how you respond, and tonight I thought we responded the right way.”

The Checkers earned their fourth win of the season and their second on home ice, but have not been able to put together two consecutive victories. With a schedule full of back-to-backs, the team will need to start stringing those strong efforts together.

“We pretty much play teams back-to-back all season and it’s tough,” said MacIntyre. “We have to be better and more consistent, so hopefully we learned a lesson this weekend.”

The Checkers will look to use that lesson and carry some momentum into a two-game road battle with the San Antonio Rampage this weekend.

NOTES

Woods’ goal was his first career shorthanded tally. The Checkers had a league-low three shorthanded goals last season … Nemisz became the first Checker to put together a three-game point streak this season (5g, 2a) … Chad LaRose had two assists, including an unselfish pass to Sutter for the empty-net goal … Kyle Jean, who signed a professional tryout contract from ECHL South Carolina earlier in the day, assisted on Nemisz’ goal … The Checkers out-shot Texas 14-5 in the second period … The teams were a combined 0-for-9 on the power play … Forwards Patrick Brown, Ben Holmstrom and Justin Shugg missed the game due to injury, while forward Carter Sandlak served the first of a four-game suspension … Defenseman Beau Schmitz was a healthy extra.