The Checkers added two forwards, one from the NHL and one from the ECHL, as they prepare to host a rematch with Milwaukee this afternoon.
Brendan Woods, who has chipped in 20 points in 58 games with the Checkers this season, returns to the fold now that the parent Carolina Hurricanes have concluded their season. Meanwhile, Ryan Rashid, who attended training camp in Charlotte and played the only two AHL games of his career with the team back in December, joins on a professional tryout contract from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
Both players would face grueling travel in order to arrive in Charlotte in time for Sunday’s 12 p.m. start, with Woods playing in Carolina’s season finale at Florida and Rashid suiting up for the Swamp Rabbits in Atlanta Saturday night. It’s also unclear as to whose spots they would take in the lineup, though it’s worth noting that the Checkers did not have healthy extras at the position heading into Saturday’s game.
Woods concludes the NHL portion of his season with five games played, bringing his career total for the last two seasons up to seven. Rashid, a 25-year-old, third-year pro, has 37 points (13g, 24a) in 67 ECHL games this season, including an assist last night.
Anyone who might happen to play for the Checkers will step into the thick of a heated playoff race. Despite Saturday’s loss, Charlotte still controls the final spot in the Pacific Division bracket and would need only four points from its last three games (today’s and two more at Lake Erie on Thursday and Friday) to completely wrap up a spot. They could also qualify with fewer points as long as San Jose drops some of their own.
A detailed rundown of playoff scenarios heading into the final week of the regular season can be found here.
