Checkers News

Coming off a weekend that saw improved play but less than stellar results, the Checkers ended their frustrations, crushing the Norfolk Admirals 6-2.

On their most productive night of the season, it was the defensemen who kickstarted the offense. Just under three minutes into the game, Trevor Carrick launched a shot from the point that was deflected in by Alex Aleardi, and 39 seconds later Rasmus Rissanen notched his first goal of the season, threading a seeing-eye shot from the point that found its way through traffic and in to put the Checkers up 2-0 early.

The Admirals cut the deficit in half heading into the first intermission, but Michal Jordan continued the defensemen trend and lit the lamp for the second consecutive game. The Checkers then turned on the jets and pumped in three more unanswered goals to roll to a 6-2 thrashing.

The offense has been the biggest concern thus far this season, but that was not the case tonight. Four different Checkers players recorded multi-point games, including Greg Nemisz, who racked up a game-high three points (2g, 1a), including a shorthanded goal, to extend his hot streak to 12 points (8g, 4a) in his last nine games. Joining him with multi-point nights were Chad LaRose, whose two assists gives him six in his last four games, Jordan, who is now on a three-game point streak, and A.J. Jenks, who had a pair of helpers.

For a team that had yet to see those bounces go its way, this big win is certainly a relief.

“It’s huge for the mindset in that locker room,” said head coach Jeff Daniels. “We talked about how we liked the last three games and hadn’t really gotten rewarded much. It was a matter of sticking with it and keep believing in it, and we got the result tonight.”

Daniels has preached a “by-committee” approach to goal-scoring this season, and this game was a shining example of that, specifically with the aforementioned defensemen outburst.

“It’s a situation where we need everyone,” said Daniels. “D need to be shooting pucks and make sure they’re hitting the net, and tonight they found the back of the net. It’s got to be done by committee and it’s just the forwards and the D working together.”

Justin Shugg returned to action this past weekend following an injury that had kept him out of eight games by scoring goal in each game. The fan favorite took the home ice tonight for the first time this season and continued that run.

“If he’s not our most skilled guy he’s one of the top two,” said Daniels. “He gets the puck around the net and he has the capability to finish, and some guys don’t have that natural ability. Shuggy can finish plays.”

“It felt great,” said Shugg. “It’s good for us to get a good, established win at home.”

For the first time since Oct. 25, John Muse was the starter for Charlotte, and he played a key role in the resounding victory, turning aside 26 of the 28 shots he faced and earning his first win of the season. Drew MacIntyre has been handled the majority of the workload in goal for the Checkers this season, but having a goalie as solid as Muse waiting in the wings is a definite positive.

“It’s a chance that he’s been waiting for and has been real patient about it,” said Daniels. “He understands that Mac is kind of running with things right now but he was ready to play tonight and I didn’t expect anything less from him.”

Both Daniels and Shugg were quick to compliment the mental aspect of Muse’s game.

“I’ve played with a lot of goalies and Muser is definitely the most mentally sharp I’ve ever played with,” said Shugg. “He reminds me of Tiger Woods – he’s that mentally sharp when he’s in the blue paint.”

“He was good,” said Daniels. “I let Muser know a couple of days ago that he was going to play today because I know he’s the type of kid that gets very focused and he has his routine.”

Not getting the consistent starts makes it tough for a goalie to stay in a rhythm, but Muse showed no signs of rust in tonight’s win.

“Regardless of if I’m playing or not I do the same things before every game because there’s been times where I’ve been supposed to back up and the goalie got hurt in warmups,” said Muse. “You never know what’s going to happen and I go into every game day thinking I’m going to get in the net.”

The Checkers will now head to Oklahoma City this weekend for a two-game series with the Barons, as they search for their first consecutive wins of the season.

NOTES

Prior to scoring multiple goals in the first and third periods, the Checkers had only scored multiple goals in a period four times this season (39 periods total) … With a goal and an assist, Jordan extended his point streak to three games (2g, 2a). He and Ryan Murphy each posted a game-high, plus-3 rating … Goals by Jordan and Rissanen marked the first time two different Checkers defensemen scored in the same game since Feb 7 of last season … Shugg’s three-game goals streak is a career high and the longest by a Checkers skater this season. He ranks second on the team in goal scoring with four despite playing just six games … Nemisz’ three points were a career high … In their last nine games, Nemisz has 12 points (8g, 4a) and LaRose has nine (2g, 7a) … The Checkers’ three shorthanded goals tie their total from all of last season … Nemisz is tied for the league lead with two shorthanded goals, while LaRose’s three shorthanded assists are a league high … Muse was making his third start of the season and first since Oct. 25, ending Drew MacIntyre’s run of six straight … Gabriel Desjardins made his Checkers debut and played his first AHL game since Dec. 6, 2013, after signing a professional tryout contract earlier in the day … Norfolk’s single road victory (1-6-0) is tied for the fewest in the AHL … Kyle Hagel recorded his 900th professional penalty minute with a third-period fight that tied him for most major penalties in the AHL (six) … Forwards Patrick Brown, Ben Holsmtrom, Jared Staal and Brody Sutter missed the game due to injury … Defensemen Dennis Robertson and Beau Schmitz were healthy extras … Forward Carter Sandlak served the final game of a four-game suspension.