The Checkers will be reunited with their hottest goal-scorer ahead of tonight’s rematch against Rockford.
Sergey Tolchinsky, he of six goals in his last five AHL games, is returning from his latest one-game stint with the Carolina Hurricanes and will be eligible to return to the lineup to face the IceHogs at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Tolchinsky played in the Hurricanes’ shootout win in Boston last night, which was his second NHL game in less than one week and also the second of his career. He recorded one assist during that time.
Over the course of a recent hot streak that has seen him post eight points (6g, 2a) in his last six games, second only to Derek Ryan (nine points) during that time, Tolchinsky has scored as many goals as in his previous 33 games combined. He now ranks fourth on the team in both points (36) and goals (14).
Thanks to a 2-1 overtime victory over Rockford earned in Tolchinsky’s absence last night, Charlotte, which has five games remaining is assured of emerging from tonight’s games with a playoff spot in hand regardless of their result against Rockford and San Jose’s 8 p.m. outcome at San Antonio. However, should Charlotte falter and San Jose win, the Barracuda would have an opportunity to reclaim the spot at Texas on Friday while the Checkers sit idle and await their last two home games of the season against Milwaukee on Saturday and Sunday.
