Checkers News

Facing a high-powered San Antonio attack with a makeshift defensive corps, the Checkers eked out a 3-2 shootout victory.

After the Rampage knotted the score in the back half of the third, the game proceeded to overtime, where there were several chances, but nothing to show for it. In the shootout, it was the goalies who took center stage, each denying the first five shooters.

As the shootout continued to the sixth round, Danny Biega stepped in and beat Michael Houser with a beautiful forehand-to-backhand deke. With the game on the line, Drew MacIntyre stonewalled Corban Knight and sealed the Checkers third consecutive home win.

With essentially their four top defensemen out of the lineup for tonight’s game, the Checkers were forced to shuffle things around. Rookie Trevor Carrick joined second-year blueliner Danny Biega as the top pairing, while Dennis Robertson and Beau Schmitz, who often alternated being healthy scratches earlier in the season, shifted up to the second pairing, seeing far more ice time than they have all season. The bottom duo was comprised of PTO newcomer Mike Cornell and Austin Levi, fresh out of the ECHL. Despite their overall inexperience, the defensemen held strong against a lethal San Antonio attack and showed what they are capable of.

“There’s been a lot of rotation for sure in the D corps,” said Biega. “I think everyone did a great job tonight. Especially when there’s new guys playing new positions it’s really important to keep it simple. I think we did that tonight. We didn’t complicate things, we just kept it as simple as we could and got rewarded for it.”

“They were solid,” said head coach Jeff Daniels of his defensive corps. “[San Antonio] is second in the league in goals for, very dangerous and a great skating team. The D are playing some big minutes and playing in situations where theyre killing penalties now or playing power play that they werent playing a month ago. This game is about opportunity. Now these guys have got to step up and have their opportunity now.”

San Antonio was buzzing all around the net, firing 42 shots on goal, but the Checkers and MacIntyre held them to just two goals. The Checkers couldn’t muster up much to take advantage of that, however. Zach Boychuk continued to stay hot, notching his third power-play in four games, and Carrick pitched in a tally of his own from the blue line.

Including an overtime game in Hamilton on Saturday, the Checkers now have turned in two consecutive solid performances, both resulting in wins.

“Manage the puck, get pucks deep, being strong on the cycle, not throwing it away, making plays and putting pucks at the net,” said Daniels. “I thought you saw that in the first and the third and in the second we got away from it. That¹s the way we got to play and as a result we got two wins.”

The Checkers were aided by a stellar performance in goal from MacIntyre. The veteran netminder has been in a bit of a slump as of late, losing seven of his previous eight starts, but broke out with 40 saves on the night, including a penalty shot late in a tie game.

“Mac was real good, especially when they tied it up, the penalty shot and a couple of breakdowns,” said Daniels. “That''s Mac. He shuts the door when there¹s a breakdown and gives us a chance to win.”

MacIntyre recently faced a similar situation in Lake Erie, where the Monsters’ scored the winner on a penalty shot late in the third period. Tonight’s attempt saw a different result.

“A couple weeks ago in Cleveland, it didn’t turn out so good,” said MacIntyre. “The guy made a nice move and it was the same situation, third period, less than 10 minutes left, they won the game 3-2, so I did not want that to happen again.”

The Checkers will now regroup to face this same San Antonio team tomorrow night. The Rampage will no doubt come out hot as they are currently deep in the playoff battle, so the Checkers’ new-look lineup will need to continue to prove itself.

“Theyve been waiting for this opportunity, whether they''ve been out of the lineup or wanting to get in the lineup or wanting to play a bigger role,” said Daniels. “Here it is. There¹s no excuses now and they've got to do it every night to show us what they can do.”

NOTES

The Checkers improved to 2-2-2 against San Antonio this season. MacIntyre has played the entirety of each game, posting a 2.39 goals-against average and .923 save percentage … MacIntyre has stopped 19 of 20 in the shootout this season. He had lost seven of his last eight games entering tonight … MacIntyre has made 40 or more saves six times this season … Charlotte has won four straight home games, tying their longest streak of the season and putting them one shy of the franchise record set from Nov. 20-30, 2011 … Boychuk has seven points (5g, 2a) in his last eight games, including three power-play goals in his last four … O’Brien’s game-tying goal in the third period ended the Checkers’ streak of 20 consecutive penalties killed (seven full games) since their last power-play goal allowed on Feb. 12. It was their second-longest streak of the season … The Checkers have been involved in seven penalty shots this season, setting a new single-season franchise record. They have scored one goal on four opportunities and allowed one goal on three opportunities. MacIntyre is 1-for-2 on the season … Mike Cornell earned his 250th professional penalty minute with a second-period fight … Forwards Gabriel Desjardins, Chad LaRose and Greg Nemisz and defenseman Keegan Lowe missed the game due to injury … Forward Brock McGinn served a one-game suspension for charging.