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Charlotte Checkers

IceHogs Escape with 2-1 Victory over Checkers

April 6, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC - Taking the ice against the Rockford IceHogs once again, the Checkers couldn't quite muster up enough offense, falling by a score of 2-1.

It wasn't until late in the middle frame that the ice was broken, with Vinnie Hinostroza forcing a turnover to jump out on a breakaway and potting one to put the visitors ahead. The IceHogs quickly doubled their lead in the final frame, but Anthony Camara answered back, popping in a rebound at the side of the net to pull the Checkers within one.

Despite mounting considerable pressure down the stretch and outshooting the IceHogs 18-2 in the third, the Checkers could not find the equalizer and the clock hit zero, sealing a tough loss for Charlotte.

The IceHogs came out of the gates with much more energy than the previous night, when the Checkers out-shot them 42-22 on their way to an overtime victory, but the Checkers' effort was more up-and-down throughout the contest.

"I thought we looked sluggish at times and really good at times," said head coach Mark Morris. "We threw everything we could at their guy and he was razor sharp again. We hit a lot of pipes and posts and we've got to bury our chances."

The guy Morris was referring to is IceHogs netminder Mac Carruth, who turned aside 38 saves in his second of back-to-back starts. Despite his strong play, the chances that the Checkers were created left something to be desired.

"We made him look really good," said Morris. "We came in uncontested a few times and hit him right in the logo. Give him credit for being in the right spot. We've just got to pick our head up and find holes."

Tonight was evidence of the Checkers' up-and-down production, as they were held to just one goal in regulation for the second straight night despite seemingly solid play throughout the lineup.

"I don't know if it was just a hot goalie or if we didn't have enough traffic in front of him or if we had a lot of shots and maybe we didn't have enough Grade A opportunities," said Kyle Hagel. "I feel like we played well enough to win tonight and unfortunately just didn't get it."

"I think it's confidence," said Morris. "That means we're working hard and we're in the right spots and creating chances, but the bottom line is we're not polishing off those plays that we have to to win hockey games. When you get that many chances, you've got to score more than one goal."

As the schedule inches closer to its end, the wear and tear of a full AHL season begins to take a toll on the players, but that doesn't seem to be an acceptable excuse for this team as they battle toward a hopeful playoff spot.

"This is go time for us, so we've got to have everybody's energy in the right places," said Morris. "We've got way too many injuries to show up with less than a full tank."

"Sure there's probably some younger guys that are going through it for the first time, but if you want to be pro hockey players you've got to be able to perform in the springtime," said Hagel. "Hopefully fatigue isn't a factor at all."

One player who has seen a large quantity of action as of late has been John Muse, who has now started 14 of the last 16 games for the Checkers since rejoining the team at the AHL trade deadline. The netminder wasn't at his best with the second goal against in this game but has earned enough trust from the coaching staff to continue to be this team's rock.

"Muse is more experienced and he normally makes saves at the right time," said Morris. "The one

they scored on him today was uncharacteristic. He's a money player and he knows how to shut teams down and come up big. Tonight, one squibbed in past him. That was the difference in the game.

"It's go time. You've got to bring our best, and he's the most experienced guy. That's the decision to go with him right now."

Tonight's loss saw the Checkers' advantage over the San Jose Barracuda, who were also in action tonight, take a hit, but they'll still retain that playoff spot regardless of San Jose's game in San Antonio that started tonight at 8 p.m. The key now is to bounce back from this result and collect every possible point down the home stretch of the season.

"Just keep doing all the good things that we're doing," said Hagel. "We're not giving up a whole lot of shots and we're not giving up a lot of chances. We're playing pretty well structurally and we've just got to keep getting traffic to the net and keep making smart puck decisions. Pucks are going to go in."

NOTES

Despite the loss, the Checkers will finish the night in a playoff spot regardless of San Jose's later result against San Antonio. However, should the Barracuda win tonight's game, they could pass Charlotte with another victory at Texas on Friday. Charlotte returns to action with the first of back-to-back home games against Milwaukee on Saturday ... Charlotte's seven-game point streak at home (6-0-1) that tied a franchise record came to an end ... In each of the Checkers' last nine regulation losses dating back to Feb. 16, they have scored two goals or less ... Camara scored for the second straight game, giving him seven points (3g, 4a) in 11 games as a Checker. He had five points in 33 games with Providence prior to that ... Charlotte has gone six consecutive games without allowing a first-period goal ... Forwards Dane Fox, Blair Jones, Andrew Miller and Valentin Zykov and defensemen Danny Biega and Rasmus Rissanen all missed the game due to injury ... Forward Derek Arnold and defenseman Tyler Ganly were healthy extras.

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