A pair of injuries last night have left the Checkers shorthanded and forced them to reach to the ECHL’s Florida Everblades for reinforcements.
After making his fifth straight start, netminder Michael Leighton exited last night’s contest seven minutes into the second period due to an injury and did not return. In response to the loss of the veteran, the Checkers have recalled Daniel Altshuller from Florida.
The third-year pro has made one appearances between the pipes for the Everblades since last rejoining the team, making 31 saves in a shootout loss a week ago. Altshuller has played in one game for Charlotte since Jan. 10, a 26-save win over Tucson on Jan. 22. The netminder is 3-3-0 this season for the Checkers with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
Before Leighton’s injury, the Checkers lost another big piece last night as alternate captain Patrick Dwyer suffered an injury during warmups in Milwaukee. While having one extra forward allowed them to fill the spot last night, the Checkers now sit with an even 12 healthy options up front without Dwyer, leading to the team recalling Clark Bishop from Florida.
The rookie was a solid force on Charlotte’s bottom six for the first part of the season, recording four points in 28 games before being sent to the ECHL in early January. Bishop quickly found success with the Everblades, collecting eight points in 15 games, including his active five-game assist streak.
The Checkers will take hose two new pieces into the second leg of their final three-in-three of the season tonight as the face the Rockford IceHogs.
