After a first period that saw the Checkers outshot their opponent 17-4 but emerge in a scoreless deadlock, it was the Thunderbirds who broke the ice with an early strike in the second. Matvei Shuravin potted his first in the AHL minutes later to even the score once again, but the two sides would trade tallies early in the third to tie things up once again - including a highlight-reel backhander from Nate Smith.
As the physicality and intensity ramped up down the stretch, Gracyn Sawchyn came through for the home team - beating Springfield netminder Georgii Romanov midway through the frame and setting Charlotte on course for their fourth consecutive victory.
QUOTES
Coach Geordie Kinnear on the gameI just liked the overall compete. We wanted to see more pockets of our identity and I thought you saw more pockets today. I was really happy. I was happy with the guys because I thought they raised their compete level overall. Obviously a really good hockey team over there and they play a playoff-style game. I thought it was just a really good hockey game.
Kinnear on the intensity of the game
That’s the way the game should be played. We’re competitive people, and you saw that tonight. You saw a lot of scrums and not a lot of space. Both teams were making some plays. Overall a good hockey game, but again we’re early in the season and consistency is the hardest part of our business. We want to make sure we’re a consistent group.
Kinnear on his impression of rookie defenseman Matvei Shuravin
Overall, great. He’s a fun guy to be around and a fun guy to coach because of the intensity he brings every single day, regardless of what situation you’re in or what practice. He just comes with a certain focus that for me is second to none. He’s done a really good job of being coachable and trainable. Just super happy because he deserved, with all the work he’s put in, some success. He got rewarded. A lot of times those goals don’t really recognize what he does on an every day basis. Super happy for him.
Kinnear on the impact of Sam Lafferty in his Checkers debut
The impact too is away from the rink. How he carries himself, how he comes to work. Another guy that, if you’re a young guy, you just watch how that guy prepares and how he works every single day. It doesn’t matter where he is or what situation he’s in. He’s all business and all pro. We’re very fortunate to have a guy like Laff on our team.
