Farm Report: Checkers cooling off a bit in brutal Atlantic

Checkers Recap

The Charlotte Checkers split their pair of games this week on the road against the Toronto Marlies. Despite being above .500 with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, Charlotte has slid down the standings to 6th in the Atlantic Division, but the Checkers hold two games in hand on the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and three games in hand on the Springfield Thunderbirds. Both special teams units for the Checkers rank third overall in the league.

In the first game of the week, the Marlies dominated the Checkers 6-2. Anton Forsberg was yanked early in the second period and replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, but each goaltender surrendered three goals apiece. Toronto took complete control of the game after an onslaught of three goals in only a minute and thirty seconds. Morgan Geekie scored his 14th goal of the season in the loss.

The second game of the week favored Charlotte, as they topped Toronto 4-3. Charlotte pushed themselves to a 3-0 lead thanks in part to Oliwer Kaski, Clark Bishop and Morgan Geekie. After the Marlies’ Timothy Liljegren pulled Toronto within two in the second period, Julien Gauthier added his 22nd of the season to give the Checkers another three goal advantage. Toronto would rally back with a pair of goals in the third period but the comeback attempt fell short. Alex Nedeljkovic made 31 saves in the win.

The Checkers will return home this weekend for the start of a six-game homestand, highlighted by the team’s first-ever Hockey Is For Everyone night on Saturday against Hartford.

Swamp Rabbits Recap

Greenville stayed busy this week with four games on the slate, winning two but falling twice. Michael Pelech had a strong week with nine points in the four games, registering two goals and seven assists. Greenville remains in third place in the South Division standings with a chance to bridge the gap between themselves and the Florida Everblades with two games on the slate this week.