The Checkers had a tough go in Cleveland, taking home one point over the two-game set against the Monsters.

Week in Review

Team Statistics

  • Overall record
    4-5-1
  • Home record
    2-2-0
  • Road record
    2-3-1
  • Last week's record
    0-1-1
  • Last 10 games
    4-5-1
  • Division Standings
    7th
  • Conference Standings
    13th
  • League Standings
    24th

Cleveland 2, Checkers 1 (OT)

The Checkers locked in a tight, low-scoring battle in their first visit to Cleveland that reached the end of regulation tied at one thanks to a Eetu Luostarinen tally. The overtime wouldn’t last long, however, as Nathan Gerbe converted on a penalty shot just 42 seconds in to clinch the win for Cleveland. Full recap

Cleveland 5, Checkers 1

The following night’s rematch wouldn’t be as close, as Cleveland jumped out to a 2-0 lead early and then poured it on en route to a 5-1 win on home ice. Full recap

Three Stars Of The Week

Lorentz

3rd Star

Steven Lorentz

1g, 0a
Luostarinen

2nd Star

Eetu Luostarinen

1g, 0a
Nedeljkovic

1st Star

Alex Nedeljkovic

0-0-1, 1.98 GAA, .939 SV%

FIVE NOTABLES

1) ON A ROLL

Eetu Luostarinen lit the lamp in Friday’s game to extend his point streak to seven games, the longest by a Checker this season. The run was snapped when the rookie forward was held off the scoresheet in Sunday’s rematch, but his streak stands as tied for the second-longest in the AHL this season.

2) NED HEATS UP

Alex Nedeljkovic may still be searching for his first win of the season, but the netminder has turned in consecutive strong performances between the pipes, regardless of outcome. Nedeljkovic has combined to make 70 saves over his last two outings, including 31 on Friday as he helped the Checkers salvage a point in Cleveland.

3) ON THE SKIDS

The Checkers were able to pull one point out of the weekend in Cleveland, but are now winless in three straight games dating back to their last home contest. That is the first such skid the Checkers have found themselves on this season, as they had not lost consecutive games prior to this.

4) KILLING IT

A bright spot for the Checkers over the weekend was the penalty kill, which shut down the Monsters on each of their seven power plays over the two games. The Checkers currently boast the fourth-best penalty kill in the AHL, operating at a 91.8 percent clip.

5) FREE HOCKEY

The Checkers went beyond regulation for the second time this season on Friday and had their first game of the season that ended in overtime. With Nathan Gerbe’s penalty shot conversion, the Checkers have lost six of their last seven games that have ended in overtime, dating back to last season.

RANKS

  • Colin Markison leads the AHL in shorthanded assists (2) and is tied for the lead in shorthanded points (2)
  • Chase Priskie is tied for second among league rookies in assists (6), tied for fourth in points (8), tied for second in power-play points (4) and assists (4), and tied for eighth among all league defensemen in points (8)
  • Eetu Luostarinen is tied for third among league rookies in goals (5), tied for seventh in points (7) and ranked fifth in shots (27)
  • Kyle Wood leads all league defensemen in shootout percentage (100) and shootout winners (1)

INJURIES

  • Spencer Smallman - Missed 10 games starting 10/5
  • Fredrik Claesson - Missed four games starting 10/25
  • Stelio Mattheos - Missed eight games from 10/5 to 10/26

Transactions

Incoming

  • None

Outgoing

  • 10/31 - Jamie McGinn - Released from PTO

Coming Up

Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. - Checkers vs. Springfield

Fairfield Inn and Suites

Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. - Checkers vs. Springfield

GEICO
  • Military Appreciation Night presented by GEICO - get $5 off at the box office with valid military ID. Honoring veterans and swearing in of Army and Air Force personnel throughout the night
  • Post-game photo on the ice

By the Numbers

CATEGORY RECORD AHL RANK LAST WEEK
Power play 20.9% 9th 6th
Penalty kill 91.8% 4th 4th
Goals per game 2.90 18th 9th
Shots per game 31.20 9th 6th
Goals allowed per game 3.50 22nd 24th
Shots allowed per game 29.90 14th 11th
Penalty minutes per game 15.30 5th 13th


LEADERS

CATEGORY LEADER(S)
Points Morgan Geekie (9), Chase Priskie, Brian Gibbons (8)
Goals Eetu Luostarinen (5), Morgan Geekie, Julien Gauthier (4)
Assists Chase Priskie, Roland McKeown (6), Three tied (5)
Power play goals Morgan Geekie, Eetu Luostarinen, Brian Gibbons (2)
Shorthanded goals Eetu Luostarinen, Chase Priskie, Brian Gibbons (1)
Game-winning goals Anthony Louis, Morgan Geekie, Brian Gibbons (1)
Shots on goal Morgan Geekie (29), Julien Gauthier (28), Eetu Luostarinen (27)
Penalty minutes Jamie McGinn (15), Derek Sheppard (12), Five tied (10)
Plus/minus Fredrik Claesson (+3), Cavan Fitgerald (+2), Clark Bishop (+1)
Wins Anton Forsberg (4)
Goals-against average Anton Forsberg (3.09)
Save percentage Anton Forsberg (.895)