Checkers News

The Checkers entered tonight’s contest in search of a franchise-best fifth straight home win, but came away empty-handed, falling 5-2 to the San Antonio Rampage.

In tonight’s rematch, it seemed as though we would get another tightly-contested affair, as the two clubs traded goals to come to a 2-2 draw entering the final minute of the second period. But with just 24 seconds left on the clock, Logan Shaw walked the puck out of the corner and flipped it over John Muse’s far shoulder and in.

That strike gave the Rampage a one-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes, and they never looked back. Rocco Grimaldi added an insurance marker midway through the frame on a similar play Shaw’s goal, roofing the puck over Muse’s shoulder short side. The Checkers attempt at a rally fell flat, and San Antonio iced the game with an empty-netter, clinching a 5-2 victory.

The game only saw 14 combined penalty minutes, with the refs letting a lot of things go. Several no-calls against the Checkers seemed to draw the ire of the players.

“It was kind of frustrating,” said Zach Boychuk. “I think there were a few moments where it almost felt like (the calls) kind of changed the momentum of the game. It’s never fun when the officiating dictates the game, but that’s kind of the way it went tonight.”

“I feel like the last couple of games the linesmen and the refs have kind of been struggling a little bit, but you can¹t put the blame on them,” said Trevor Carrick.

Though it did feel like there were questionable calls, the team made it clear that it was not an excuse for its play.

“It is what it is,” said head coach Jeff Daniels. “We''ve got to put our energy into the ice and not worry so much about whether it¹s a good call or a bad call. We’ve got to just focus on the game.”

“Try not to worry about the refs and let them do their jobs,” said Carrick. “I think it went both ways. They could have called some against us and some against them, so you can¹t really put the blame on them.”

“You can’t dwell on it,” said Boychuk. “It is what it is and you’ve got to try your best to battle through it.”

Boychuk netted one of the Checkers’ two goals tonight, with Carrick getting credit for the other. After struggling to find a rhythm upon returning from the NHL midway through the season, Boychuk has gotten back on track with goals in three straight games.

“I think it’s been going in as of late, especially on the power play,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep battling through it. Playing on the fourth line up in Carolina, you might lose a little bit of that scoring touch and it takes a little time to get it back. It’s starting to come back to the point where I’m scoring at a pace that I was last year, so it feels good.”

Rampage goalie Michael Houser can be credited for keeping the Checkers offense in line, turning in a solid effort highlighted by a ridiculous glove save robbing Brody Sutter of a sure goal in the first period. What seemed like the go-ahead goal ended up being a huge blow to Charlotte.

“[Houser] makes a great save on Brody in the first period, and when you’re a team that doesn’t score a lot you get great chances you’ve got to score goals,” said Daniels.

The Checkers’ offensive attack went dry down the stretch, failing to put the puck in the net when they needed it most, including when they had an extra attacker. The team’s crunch-time pressure has struggled all season, but Daniels finds the reason hard to pinpoint.

“We got a chance and we don’t execute on the far side and then they go down and score the goal,” said Daniels. “It’s a bit of everything. It is what it is.”

As the schedule begins to wind toward its conclusion, the Checkers will have to put performances like this one behind them and bounce back as a better team, even as they fall out of the playoff picture.

“You’ve got to be pros,” said Daniels. “You’re a professional athlete and you’ve got to show up every day and play your game, no matter if you’re first in the division or last in the division. You’ve got to be a pro.”

NOTES

Knight’s goal at the 43-second mark was the fastest allowed by the Checkers this season … Boychuk has six goals in his last nine games, including an active three-game streak … Carrick has points in a career-best three straight games and goals in each of his last two … Mike Cornell assisted on Boychuk’s goal to earn his first point as a Checker … The Checkers, who entered the game ranked last in the AHL on the man advantage, have five power-play goals in their last six games … The Checkers’ now-ended four-game win streak tied their longest of the season … Charlotte is now 2-3-2 against San Antonio this season with one game remaining. They did not post a losing record against the Rampage in any of the three previous seasons that the teams have met … Forwards Gabriel Desjardins, Chad LaRose and Greg Nemisz and defenseman Keegan Lowe miss the game due to injury … Forward Carter Sandlak was a healthy extra.