Despite only recording four shots, the Checkers matched the Griffins for much of the opening frame and buzzed around the opponents’ zone for long stretches. But it was the visitors who struck first thanks to a quick short-side snipe off the stick of Eric Tangradi late in the frame, sending the Griffins into the first intermission with a one-goal lead.
Things came unraveled in the second for Charlotte, with the Griffins potting three straight to run out to a substantial 4-0 lead. The fourth tally, a floating wrister from the blue line, chased starter Daniel Altshuller from the game. John Muse, in his season debut with the team, closed the door down the stretch and kept Grand Rapids from extending its lead. But the Checkers offense couldn’t muster up a comeback, with Griffins netminder Jared Coreau stonewalling them on the way to his fifth shutout of the season.
“For whatever reason it seems to be that we’re struggling to find ways to score goals,’ said T.J. Hensick. “It doesn’t really matter if you get 10 shots or 40 shots. At the end of the day you’ve got to find a way to get them past the goalie. It’s frustrating for sure.”
The lack of offense in tonight’s contest was not for a lack of effort, as the Checkers put the pressure on the Griffins, but couldn’t quite solve Coreau.
“We exerted a lot of energy and the guys didn’t lay down,” said head coach Mark Morris. “We had our chances to get within striking distance with a breakaway or two and we just didn’t finish. Their guy [Coreau] was really good and they’re a very good team and you’ve got to finish your chances when you get them.”
The other side of the game was not as much to Morris’ liking.
“I didn’t think we were particularly good defensively at times,” he said. “It all starts in the neutral zone, and I thought we didn’t do a very good job and they generated a lot of speed to get the momentum and that kind of put us back on our heels. That’s not the way you need to play when you play against a team of that caliber.”
Charlotte sported a drastically different lineup, with top scorers Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn, as well as blue-line fixture Ryan Murphy, all with Carolina. That shakeup led to different and bigger roles for several players.
“It’s a lot of ice time and a lot of important situations that they normally don’t see, so I think it was an eye-opener for some guys to have that on their shoulders,” said Morris. “Hopefully they’ll learn from it and come out with a more determined effort tomorrow from start to finish.”
“Obviously there’s guys missing so there’s room there for guys to take over ice time and take over different roles, but we’ve got to take advantage of it,” said Hensick.
Altshuller had a rough night between the pipes, getting pulled for the third time in his last six starts.
“I think just having a strong mindset that when you get behind you can’t throw your chips in,” said Morris on what Altshuller can do to get back on track. “You’ve got to continue to battle. Not every night is going to be the best night but you still have to learn how to battle through goals that perhaps go the wrong way. He had a tough one go off (Trevor) Carrick and we were kind of casual going back after what we thought was an icing and next thing you know we’re down 2-0.”
Muse’s appearance in goal was surprising, with the netminder having just joined the team yesterday following a trade with the Texas Stars. However, he was strong in the crease, making a few big stops while also being aided by some good bounces.
“I was really happy with what I saw in his game,” said Morris of Muse, who was playing his first game since Jan. 5. “He was obviously dialed in. I never expected to see him in the net so quickly but I’m very impressed with what I saw here tonight.”
With tomorrow’s quick turnaround, Muse’s strong finish might force Morris to make a tough call.
“After seeing what I saw, I wouldn’t hesitate to start [Muse],” said Morris. “I haven’t made that decision yet, but he played well enough that he deserves a look here soon.”
As for tomorrow’s rematch, the Checkers will need to find a way to spark something in order to stay in the playoff hunt.
“We’re still a good team, we’ve just got to find ways to win,” said Hensick. “We’re keeping the puck out of our net for the most part and limiting scoring chances, but for whatever reason we’re just struggling to score. We’ve got to find ways to get dirtier and grittier in front of the net, and I think if we can get one it might give us some confidence to get some more.”