After a back-and-forth first that saw very few whistles and no goals, Julien Gauthier opened the scoring by powering through several Penguins’ defenders and firing a deceptive shot past netminder Anthony Peters. The Checkers, who held the visitors to just three shots in the middle frame, doubled that lead shortly after when Greg McKegg finished off a slick passing play from Lucas Wallmark and Valentin Zykov on the man advantage.
The visitors finally found the back of the net in the third, pouncing on a defensive zone turnover by Charlotte, but that would be as far as their rally would go. McKegg would crash the net late in regulation to pop home his second of the night, and that would be the final nail in the Penguins’ coffin. Alex Nedeljkovic made quick work of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton attack, denying 17 of the 18 shots he was faced with, and skated away with his 28th win of the season – not only the best in the league, but the best in Checkers’ franchise history.
QUOTES
Coach Mike Vellucci on the game
We only gave up four scoring chances that whole game. One in the first and zero in the second. That was really good defense and we played with a lot of speed. That was a great hockey game. I think there was one whistle in the first 10 or 15 minutes in the first period. It was end to end and it was a playoff atmosphere. When you’re that young of a team and you compete and learn how to win those games, it’s a huge learning experience.
Vellucci on Greg McKegg’s play since joining the team
He just gives us some experience and he’s such a good person. That’s the biggest thing in the trade. We lost Juice (Josh Jooris) who is a really good guy, but he’s fit in really nice here and has given us some stability down the middle.
Vellucci on Julien Gauthier coming back from illness
He lost 10 pounds in four days. He played under the weather and he played really well. Credit to him because he’s gotten better every day. He’s worked at it with his effort and his hockey has gotten better as the year as gone on.
Julien Gauthier on returning to the lineup
I felt way better. It was a tough virus that I had to fight against, but I’m happy to be back in the lineup. When you’re always playing you don’t realize how lucky you are to always be on the ice, so it was a really good feeling to be back.
Greg McKegg on scoring against his former team
There are definitely some familiar faces on the other side, and it’s always nice to beat them for sure. They’re a good team, but it was nice to get two points tonight.
McKegg on fitting in with the Checkers
Vellucci has been great for me. He’s put me in some very positive roles and in spots that I can have an impact. The whole team has been great so far, and it’s a great group to come into.