Checkers Stumble in Rematch with Comets
October 30, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
CHECKERS STUMBLE IN REMATCH WITH COMETS
Utica gets revenge with 6-3 win over Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC - After an impressive offensive showing the night before, the Checkers fell flat in their rematch with the Utica Comets, stumbling to a 6-3 loss.
The contest yielded 80 penalty minutes between the two clubs and saw four players handed game misconducts. The first occurrence came right off the opening draw, as the two captains dropped the gloves and both Patrick Brown and Carter Bancks were sent to the locker rooms. Then in the waning moments of the first frame Zack Stortini and Joseph LaBate tangled immediately after a face off, resulting in both squads exiting the period short a pair of forwards for the rest of the night.
The Comets flipped last night's script on the Checkers, breaking a 1-1 deadlock early on with five unanswered goals on Charlotte netminder Jeremy Smith. With a hefty 6-1 advantage heading into the final moments of regulation, Utica held on as the Checkers cashed in a pair of late strikes to cut into the deficit, but fell short by a 6-3 score.
Quotes
Coach Mike Vellucci on the game
We didn't have a good start again. We were turning pucks over and they capitalized on it and went 2-for-2 on the power play to start the game. We've got to get better on special teams and have to get better starts. That's going to be on me to figure out.
Vellucci on the difference from last night's game
(Utica) had a lot of pushback. They came out and wanted a fight, and we didn't answer it early enough. We had a little bit of a pushback but we just couldn't score on their goalie. It's a tough league we play in and it's physical and they were more physical than us.
Vellucci on Brown and Stortini earning game misconducts for fights off the faceoff
Both of their guys instigated it, so I don't understand why our guys got thrown out. Their guy is a center and starts the game on left wing to start a fight, and then the same when the other guy comes out and jumps Stortini. I don't understand why our guys got thrown out for that.
Vellucci on having to play a more physical game
It's a grinding game. We were down to 10 forwards so there was a lot of ice time and you've got to fight through it. Those are the games you've got to learn to win. That was their game plan and it worked for them.
Notes
Charlotte missed a chance to win three consecutive games for the first time this season. They have three two-game winning streaks ... The Checkers' 23 shots allowed in the first period tied the franchise record set on Feb. 25, 2011 ... Prior to today, the Checkers had not allowed six goals since a 7-2 loss to Bakersfield on March 5 of last season (also at home) ... The Checkers have allowed at least four goals in all three of their losses ... Charlotte fell to 2-2-0 at home but is 4-1-0 on the road, where it will play its next eight games ... Utica scored on both of its power plays while the Checkers went 0-for-5 ... Forward Warren Foegele missed the game due to an illness ... Forward Sergey Tolchinsky and defenseman Trevor Carrick missed out due to injury ... Forward Nick Schilkey and defenseman Tyler Ganly were healthy extras.
Up Next
The Checkers now embark on their longest road trip of the season, a near month-long trek starting Friday in Belleville.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2017
- Detroit Assigns Bertuzzi to Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- American Hockey League Announces Suspensions - AHL
- Colorado Avalanche Reassign Forward Andrew Agozzino to San Antonio - San Antonio Rampage
- Practice Canceled, November Schedule - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Reign Welcome November vs. San Jose and San - Ontario Reign
- CANES ASSIGN JANNE KUOKKANEN TO CHARLOTTE - Charlotte Checkers
- Manitoba Moose Weekly - Manitoba Moose
- Tucson's Dylan Strome Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Tucson's Dylan Strome Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Canucks Recall Forward Anton Rodin from the Comets - Utica Comets
- Theodore Heads to Vegas; Reinhart Joins Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- Theodore Heads to Vegas; Reinhart Joins Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- Team finishes homestand against Rockford on Tuesday then travels to Tucson this weekend - Cleveland Monsters
- Amerks Announce 2017-18 Television Schedule - Rochester Americans
- Coyotes Recall Miska from Tucson - Tucson Roadrunners
- BLUE JACKETS RECALL TYLER MOTTE, MONSTERS SIGN TERRY BROADHURST TO PTO - Cleveland Monsters
- Garrison Loaned to Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- WOLF PACK GAME RECAP - Hartford Wolf Pack
- This Week's Storylines - Rochester Americans
- Checkers Stumble in Rematch with Comets - Charlotte Checkers
- Comets Overpower Checkers - Utica Comets
- Canucks Recall Center Jayson Megna from the Comets - Utica Comets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.