Sports stats

AHL Charlotte Checkers

Rough Third Halts Checkers' Hot Streak in Toronto

February 22, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Coming off their best stretch of the season, a disastrous third period saw the Checkers' quest for a four-game winning streak come to a screeching halt on the road in Toronto.

Despite the Marlies doubling them up in terms of shots in the first period, the Checkers netted the lone goal of the frame off the stick of dynamic forward Alex Aleardi, who received a beautiful feed from Ben Holmstrom and slid it five-hole.

The Marlies responded quickly in second with Sam Carrick, brother of Checkers' defenseman Trevor Carrick, lighting the lamp just 42 seconds in. Brody Sutter put the Checkers back on top with his fifth goal of the season, but Toronto bounced back again, tying the game at two midway through the period. But with under two minutes to go, the red-hot Brock McGinn deflected a puck in and gave the Checkers a 3-2 advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.

Once again, the Marlies evened things up less than a minute into the period, with Kevin Marshall following up the play and putting in a rebound. Toronto turned on the jets, racking up two more goals in the period then capping things off with an empty netter. The 6-3 final put an end to the Charlotte's season-long three-game winning streak.

The contest was Drew MacIntyre's first visit to Toronto since leading the Marlies to the Western Conference Finals last season. The veteran netminder was strong through the first two periods, holding an onslaught of Toronto offense to two goals on 26 shots, including a highlight reel stop that saw him reach back with his glove and rob a wide-open attempt at the empty-net.

Things fell apart in the third, however, with the Marlies lighting MacIntyre up for three goals on 12 shots. It adds to a frustrating stretch that has seen the goalie on the losing side in six of his last seven starts.

The Checkers' offense didn't due their netminder any favors in the third, despite shining through the fist two periods. Aleardi and McGinn continued to have the hot hand for Charlotte, with the former leading the visitors with a two-point night and the latter earning his sixth point in the last four games. But that pressure that they created for the first two-thirds of the game went dry in the third, as the Checkers found themselves outshot 13-7 in the final twenty minutes. The silver-lining for the team, in terms of offense, is that they have now scored at least three goals in each of their last four games, their best such stretch of the season.

The Checkers will enjoy an off-day tomorrow before hitting the ice for practice on Tuesday and facing the Marlies once again Wednesday morning. With the games remaining on the schedule dwindling and Toronto being one of the teams standing between them and the playoffs, Wednesday's contest will be undoubtedly be an important one.

Check out the Charlotte Checkers Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2015


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.

Other Recent Charlotte Checkers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central