1) If you didn't catch the end of the Manitoba game on Monday, the Checkers pulled their goalie in the final minute of play while down 2-1. With the Moose in possession and only about 10 seconds left, Chase De Leo had an empty net to shoot at from about four feet away. He hit the post. Two passes later, Checkers forward Blair Jones had a breakaway to tie the game. Unfortunately, Jones was stopped by Moose goalie Connor Hellebuyck. I've been calling games for a long time but I've never seen that sequence of events take place so quickly.
2) With the last eight games upon us, I have a feeling that the last weekend of the season against Lake Erie in Cleveland will determine if the team makes the postseason. In fact, it may come down to the final regular season game on April 15. Charlotte was in that position a few years ago. They had a must-win game in Milwaukee. On that night, it ended poorly.
3) The Checkers lost a 13-round shootout last week against Rockford. I asked coach Mark Morris who the 14th shooter for Charlotte would have been. He said, “Dennis Robertson.”
4) God Bless Gordie Howe. Mr. Hockey turns 88 years old today. He received a standing ovation at the Joe Louis Arena while everyone in attendance sang Happy Birthday to the legend of Detroit. If there was a Mount Rushmore of hockey faces, you can bet he'd be on it.
6) Derek Ryan has been tearing it up offensively for Charlotte and when called up to the Canes, he doesn't miss a beat. He has two goals in four NHL games this year. I couldn't be happier for one of the classiest guys around.
7) Jimmy Vesey, a draft pick of the Predators, foregoes signing with Nashville at the conclusion of his senior year. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, this will make him an unrestricted free agent in the summer. He is now free to sign with any team he wants. A lot has been said of his decision. My only criticism would be that he should have been up front with Nashville long ago. It's seems clear he led them on making them believe he would sign when he had no intention of doing so.
8) The Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs, probably. Time to regroup. And, by regroup, I mean find six actual NHL defensemen in the offseason.
9) With San Jose winning last night against Ontario, they've jumped ahead of Charlotte in the battle for the final playoff spot in the conference. The difference between the two teams is that, while Charlotte scores more on average, San Jose defends better, allowing fewer goals per game. As the games get tighter down the stretch, defense will be a premium because it's much harder to score in playoff-type games.
10) I believe the Checkers will get Brock McGinn back for this weekend. With Ryan and Sergey Tolchinsky gone for now, the offense could dry up quick unless reinforcements come soon.
