Checkers Suffer Shootout Loss in Springfield
April 16, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
A tight matchup between the Atlantic Division's top two teams ultimately went to the home side as the Springfield Thunderbirds topped the Checkers 2-1 in the shootout.
Charlotte earned one point from its two-game trip to Massachusetts, allowing the Thunderbirds to move into a tie for first in the division.
After out-shooting the Thunderbirds 12-3 in the third period, the Checkers also had the better opportunities to put the game away in overtime but Springfield netminder Charlie Lindgren (37 saves) was up to the task. The only goal of the shootout came on the very first attempt, with Springfield's Sam Anas scoring while the Charlotte trio of Zac Dalpe, Cole Schwindt and Scott Wilson all came up empty.
It was the first shootout loss of the season for Charlotte, which fell to 4-1.
The result dampened an outstanding outing for Charlotte goalie Christopher Gibson, who stopped the game's first shot on a breakaway and stayed strong throughout his 31-save effort. Despite the overtime loss, the Checkers have a standings point in 17 of their last 20 games (14-3-3).
Henry Bowlby, who did not play in the previous game, got the Checkers on the board first when his backhand swipe at a loose puck found its way past Lindgren at the exact halfway point of the opening period. It was the 12th goal of the season for the Checkers' No. 12.
The game swung in Springfield's favor late in the second when a forechecking Nikita Alexandrov batted down an attempted saucer pass between Checkers defensemen and quickly roofed a shot over Gibson. Just moments later, Charlotte missed a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead through two consecutive Springfield penalties that overlapped for 19 seconds worth of a two-man advantage.
For the night, Charlotte finished 0-for-4 on the power play while Springfield was 0-for-3.
The Checkers have just two games left in their regular season - road contests in Hartford and Providence next Friday and Saturday, respectively.
NOTES
As of now, Charlotte holds a tiebreaker over Springfield by having one more regulation victory. Both teams have a .614 points percentage, while third-placed Providence could climb to .609 with a victory later tonight. The top two teams earn a first-round bye in the playoffs ... The Checkers fell to 2-4-2 against Springfield this season, including three straight losses. Two of those were in overtime/shootout ... The Checkers' scratches were Grigori Denisenko, Max Gildon, Max McCormick, Logan Hutsko, Dennis Cesana, Zach Uens and Antoine Bibeau ... With Hutsko out tonight, Schwindt is now the only skater to appear in every Checkers game this season.
American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2022
- Belleville Sens Sweep Two-Game Road Trip with Win over Comets - Belleville Senators
- Luukkonen Backstops Amerks to 2-1 Win over Hartford - Rochester Americans
- Providence Bruins Top Lehigh Valley, 3-2 in a Shootout - Providence Bruins
- Phantoms Secure Standings Point in Shootout Battle - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Admirals Punch Ticket to Post-Season - Milwaukee Admirals
- Wolves Clinch AHL's Central Division - Chicago Wolves
- Wolves Spoil Stars Finale with Late Rally - Texas Stars
- Crunch Defeat Marlies, 5-1 - Syracuse Crunch
- Monsters Battle Not Enough in 4-2 Loss to Rocket - Cleveland Monsters
- Silver Knights Defeat Heat 4-1 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Hicketts Plays Hero, Wild Down Admirals 5-4 in Overtime - Iowa Wild
- Wolf Pack Battle to the End, But Fall Short in Rochester - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Comets Defeated by Senators, 4-1 - Utica Comets
- Islanders Edged at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Bridgeport Islanders
- Riikola's Career Night Spurs Pens to 6-5 Win over Isles - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Henderson Takes Weekend Finale, 4-1 - Stockton Heat
- Lindgren Locks Down 2-1 T-Birds SO Win over Checkers - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Checkers Suffer Shootout Loss in Springfield - Charlotte Checkers
- Hogs Fall Short in Manitoba, Rematch Tomorrow - Rockford IceHogs
- Moose Earn 3-2 Victory over Rockford - Manitoba Moose
- Marlies Wrap up Weekend with Saturday Matchup in Syracuse - Toronto Marlies
- 5 Things: Heat at Henderson - Stockton Heat
- Familiar Faces Make Presence Felt for Canucks, Defeat San Jose 4-3 in OT - Abbotsford Canucks
- Stockton Wraps Three-Game Set at Henderson Saturday - Stockton Heat
- Wolf Pack Eye Strong Finish to Seven-Game Road Trip - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Yetman and McKay Return to the IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- Sandstrom Recalled to Flyers - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Hogs Travel to Moose as Playoff Push Intensifies - Rockford IceHogs
- Game #63: Colorado at Tucson - Tucson Roadrunners
- Chase Pearson Heads to Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Roadrunners Kick Off Fan Appreciation Weekend With 4-3 Win Over Colorado - Tucson Roadrunners
- Silver Knights Top Heat, 4-2 - Henderson Silver Knights
- Hrenak Shuts out San Diego in his Debut - Ontario Reign
- Shutout Loss Extends Gulls' Skid - San Diego Gulls
- Eagles Fall Short in 4-3 Loss at Tucson - Colorado Eagles
- Henderson Evens Three-Game Set as Heat Fall Friday - Stockton Heat
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.
