In desperate need of some proven scoring ability, the Checkers got it in time for Friday’s game.
Recent Checkers News
The Carolina Hurricanes have reassigned Chris Terry, Charlotte’s scoring leader, who should be in the lineup to face Texas tonight. Terry was at the Checkers’ morning skate but did not participate, having just played in Carolina’s 3-2 loss to Washington on Thursday.
With his return, the Checkers get a top forward and an experienced player back in their lineup at a time when 10 players will miss tonight’s game due to injury. With defenseman Danny Biega suffering an injury three shifts into his professional debut on Wednesday, Charlotte recalled defenseman Tommi Kivisto from ECHL Florida earlier in the day.
Terry, who has 46 points (22g, 24a) in 55 games this season, scored a goal on his first shot in his NHL debut, the game winner against New Jersey on Saturday. That was the only point he recorded in his first three games with Carolina, during which he averaged around 10 minutes of ice time.
The winger returns to Charlotte with 30 points (13g, 17a) in his last 26 games dating back to Dec. 30. He is also tied for the AHL lead with seven game-winning goals.
For the first time in several weeks, the Checkers now have one more healthy player than required to field a full lineup. Justin Soryal was the last of those players off the ice on Friday, typically an indicator of that night’s scratches, as he worked with injured forwards Zac Dalpe, A.J. Jenks and Jerome Samson and backup goalie Rob Madore.
Kivisto, 21, has played 11 games with Charlotte this season, recording two assists. In a scheduling fluke, the Hurricanes’ seventh-round pick in 2009 has yet to play a home game at the AHL level.
Kivisto becomes the 15th player on Charlotte’s roster who started the season in a lower league. As many as 12 of those will be in tonight’s lineup.
