While offensive production has played a big part in the Checker’s slump over the last month, Charlotte’s goaltending situation has had its ups and downs as well, with the duo in net working to find a way to help the team push its way back up the standings.
After setting franchise single-season minutes and saves records last year, Drew MacIntyre re-signed over the offseason to command the net once again. He did just that early on, appearing in 20 of the team’s first 25 over backup Rasmus Tirronen. MacIntyre put up a 9-9-1 record to start the season, though he wrapped up that stretch by helping his team to a three-game point streak.
In mid-December, the Checkers brought up second-year pro Daniel Altshuller, who had been tearing up the ECHL with Florida, to spend a few games with MacIntyre and the team before the veteran headed to represent Canada at the Spengler Cup. Altshuller won his AHL debut on Dec. 17, then MacIntyre took off for Switzerland.
From that point on, things went in wildly different directions.
After leading Canada to a win in their opener, MacIntyre suffered an injury that put an end to his tournament and forced him out for several AHL games as well. In the meantime, Altshuller took off, going 9-1-1 and helping lead the team to a franchise record 12-game points streak.
Upon returning from the injury, MacIntyre had a difficult time finding his way in the crease.
“It’s been frustrating for me because I haven’t been able to get into a rhythm and I’ve pressed at times,” said MacIntyre prior to his most recent outings. “I think at times I’ve been scared to make a mistake because every time I made a mistake I’d be gone.
“It’s a process, you can’t just click it on. You have to get in a rhythm and that’s something I haven’t been able to do all year. In 13 years this has definitely been my most frustrating season. It’s not enjoyable so I’m trying to have fun and stay in the moment.”
It’s tough for a goalie to get back into the swing of things after an injury without getting any game action. That has been compounded for MacIntyre by the strong outings from Altshuller, which has forced head coach Mark Morris to stick with the hot hand at times.
MacIntyre has always been very transparent about his frustrations, but his vast experience at this level has helped him get back on the right track mentally.
“That’s goaltending, I signed up for it, I know how to handle it,” said MacIntyre. “I’ve learned some good lessons this year. I’ve been down this road many times and I’ve always come back. I’m confident I’ll do it this time.”
That’s not to say MacIntyre has been alone in his struggles. After a remarkable start to his AHL career, Altshuller has fallen back down as of late, going 0-5-3 in his last nine appearances.
“I have to take ownership of that as well,” said Altshuller of the slump that followed his hot streak. “I just need to get back into a groove and get my focus.”
MacIntyre showed a glimpse of being able to turn things around in his most recent outing, making 29 saves against a formidable Grand Rapids offense to earn his first win in nearly a month.
“He came in with a good focus and that was one of his best outings,” said Morris.
That bounce back shows the resiliency of the veteran, and hopefully signals an upward trend for both the goalies and the team as a whole.
“We need that,” said Morris, referencing MacIntyre’s solid performance against Grand Rapids. “We need that from him or whoever else is going to be in the net for us. It’s go time. The body of work that we’ve had from the group has been inconsistent. When we’ve been good, we’ve been really good and when we’re shaky we haven’t had good results.”
As the team heads out down the final stretch of the season, strong play from the net could be a kickstart for the rest of the team to climb their way back into the playoff picture.
“Mac’s been in a lot of situations before and it’s important to have that kind of experience,” said Altshuller. “Me and him get along really well. We’re the first two guys in the room every day. We’re just trying to work hard and all we want is the team to win games. Whether he’s in or I’m in or we both are, it doesn’t matter. We just want to win games for this team.”
