Derek Ryan scored both of the Checkers’ goals, the latter of which was his 20th of the season, as his team lost for just the second time in its last seven games. Charlotte, which had defeated Milwaukee in the shootout on Friday, will now move on to face Rockford on Sunday to complete one of its busiest stretches of the season.
With the loss, the Checkers have a chance to fall out of playoff position depending on later games involving Bakersfield and San Jose, either of whom could knock them out for the time being with a victory. Charlotte now has 12 games remaining.
Things seemed to be getting out of reach when the Admirals’ scored their fourth unanswered goal early in the third period on a Matt White deflection in front that the Checkers felt may have been batted down with a high stick. However, Ryan made things interesting by picking up the loose change on another play generated by Werek to make it 4-2 with just under 13 minutes remaining.
Any potential momentum by the visitors was short-lived, as White and Max Gortz each netted their second goals of the game down the stretch to stifle any potential rally.
Charlotte made a goaltending switch for the ninth time this season, with starter John Muse, who entered the game on a personal five-game winning streak, exiting the contest after allowing Milwaukee’s third goal on a shot from the point that deflected in through traffic in the first minute of the third period. Muse finished the game with 23 saves on 26 shots, while backup Daniel Altshuller allowed three goals on seven shots down the stretch.
Milwaukee’s second goal came on the power play and was just the third man-advantage goal allowed by the Checkers in their last nine games. Including a 4-for-5 showing tonight, they have still negated 37 of their last 40 opportunities during that time. Meanwhile, Charlotte went 0-for-3 on the power play, extending a nine-game slump that has seen the team convert on just two of its last 42 opportunities.
Of concern from this game is an injury to forward Justin Shugg, who left during the game and did not return. He could join Brock McGinn, Anthony Camara, Dane Fox, Valentin Zykov and Danny Biega on the team’s injured list for Sunday’s game in Rockford, though Brody Sutter and Trevor Carrick are expected to be available after returning from the NHL earlier Saturday.