Weekly Report: Nov. 18, 2019

The Checkers put on a strong defensive showing in Hershey over the weekend, but could only come away with a split in the standings.

Week in Review

Checkers 3, Hershey 0

Alex Nedeljkovic took over in the Checkers’ first visit to Hershey this season, stopping all 36 shots he faced and picking up the shutout. A Steven Lorentz deflection on a second-period power play proved to be the difference offensively before the Checkers added some cushion late en route to a big win. Full recap

Hershey 2, Checkers 1

The Checkers got another stellar performance between the pipes in the next night’s rematch, with Anton Forsberg making 35 saves on the night, but they couldn’t replicate their offense. Despite having just 18 shots on goal throughout the night, the Checkers pulled into a 1-1 tie midway through the third, but a late power-play goal by Hershey gave the home side the victory. Full recap

Three Stars Of The Week

FIVE NOTABLES

1) NED'S BIG NIGHT

Alex Nedeljkovic turned in his most impressive performance of the season in Hershey on Friday, turning aside every shot he was faced with to carry the Checkers to a big win. It was the 23-year-old’s franchise-best 11th career shutout, and his 36-save total was the highest of any of those perfect performances.

The reigning AHL Goalie of the Year has now won each of his last two starts and helped his team earn a point in each of his last three. Nedeljkovic has surrendered just three goals over his last three games and has a total of 126 saves over his last four games.

2) MAXIMUM PRODUCTION

Max McCormick kept his hot hand going over the weekend, posting an assist on Colin Markison’s insurance goal in Friday’s win and then scoring a third-period goal on Saturday to tie the game.

Add to that his two-point effort in Charlotte’s overtime loss to Springfield two weekends ago and McCormick now has four points in his last three contests. It also makes him the highest scoring Checker during the month of November.

3) KILLING IT

The Checkers’ penalty kill continues to dominate, moving into the top spot in the league rankings. Charlotte went five consecutive games without surrendering a power-play goal and had killed off 24 straight man advantages until Hershey finally broke through with their third period game-winning goal on Saturday.

4) LORENTZ LIGHTS IT UP

With a redirect on Eetu Luostarinen’s shot in Friday’s win over Hershey, Steven Lorentz scored his fourth goal in his 13th game of the season. Prior to that the forward had three career goals in 32 games.

5) POWERING UP

After going scoreless on nine straight man advantages, the Checkers’ power play has come to life as of late. Charlotte scored a power-play goal in both Hershey games over the weekend and now have power-play goals in each of their last three contests and five of their last seven.

RANKS

• Colin Markison is tied for the league lead in shorthanded assists (2) and tied for third in points (3)
• Derek Sheppard is tied for third among league rookies in major penalties (2)
• Chase Priskie is tied for third among league rookies in power-play assists (4) and tied for the league lead among defensmen in shorthanded goals (1)
• Kyle Wood is tied for the league lead among defensemen in shootout goals (1)

INJURIES

• Stelio Mattheos - Missed four games starting 11/8
• Fredrik Claesson - Missed six games from 10/25 to 11/9

Transactions

Incoming

• 11/16 - Brian Gibbons - Assigned from Carolina (NHL)
• 11/14 - Spencer Smallman - Recalled from Greenville (ECHL)
• 11/12 - Casey Bailey - Signed to PTO

Outgoing

• 11/17 - Eetu Luostarinen - Recalled by Carolina (NHL)
• 11/15 - Jacob Pritchard - Assigned to Greenville (ECHL)
• 11/15 - Jeremy Helvig - Assigned to Greenville (ECHL)

Coming Up

By the Numbers

CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	20.3%	7th	9th
Penalty kill	93.0%	1st	3rd
Goals per game	2.71	t-23rd	18th
Shots per game	29.93	16th	9th
Goals allowed per game	3.00	17th	25th
Shots allowed per game	30.14	16th	12th
Penalty minutes per game	16.36	3rd	2nd

LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Morgan Geekie (10), Four tied (8)
Goals	Eetu Luostarinen, Julien Gauthier, Morgan Geekie (5)
Assists	Roland McKeown (7), Jake Bean, Chase Priskie (6)
Power play goals	Morgan Geekie, Eetu Luostarinen, Brian Gibbons, Julien Gauthier (2)
Shorthanded goals	Eetu Luostarinen, Chase Priskie, Brian Gibbons, Colin Markison (1)
Game-winning goals	Five tied (1)
Shots on goal	Julien Gauthier, Morgan Geekie (37), Eetu Luostarinen (28)
Penalty minutes	Kyle Wood (22), Morgan Geekie (20), Clark Bishop (17)
Plus/minus	Fredrik Claesson (+4), Cavan Fitgerald (+3), Clark Bishop (+2)
Wins	Anton Forsberg (4)
Goals-against average	Alex Nedeljkovic (2.76)
Save percentage	Alex Nedeljkovic (.908)