1) The Checkers out-played and out-chanced Oklahoma on Saturday. Despite holding the Barons to only seven quality scoring chances, the team was unable to win. It must be very frustrating for the squad, however, they are playing well enough to win most nights.
2) On Friday, I told Dan Biega he could have an interview Saturday morning if he scored that night against Oklahoma. Biega didn't disappoint and scored his first goal of the year on his first shot in the first period. He walked into the locker room the next day and got an interview as agreed upon. I'm a man of my word.
3) The Edmonton Oilers continue to be a sinking ship. Just firing the goalie coach is like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.
5) It's really fun to see how far Matthew Ford has come in his professional career. In his first training camp in the ECHL, we sat next to each other in the locker room. When another player asked why coach Troy Mann kept calling me at "the radio guy," despite the fact I was dressed as a goalie, I replied, "because I'm the radio guy." Ford still jokes about that today.
6) A special thanks to Pat Kelly who was a part of a fantastic Checkers video reminiscing about Bojangles' Coliseum and the hopeful eventual return home for the Charlotte Checkers.
7) Found it funny that on the plane ride home to Charlotte, Kyle Hagel was reading a Naomi Klein book and I was reading a Thomas Sowell book. Not sure the galactic chasm of ideas can be bridged but it's fun to try.
8) It's also great to see Hagel out there on the penalty kill. With so many penalty killers like Ben Holmstrom, Brody Sutter and Jared Staal out of the lineup, Hagel has filled a much needed role.
9) The Norfolk team the Checkers throttled last week looks very different tonight with several players returning from the NHL. With Norfolk losing 7-1 against Portland a few days ago they will be desperate for a win. It should be a hard-fought game tonight.
10) The broadcast begins at 7 p.m. with puck drop at 7:15. Join us for all the action tonight.
