Weekly Report: Oct. 13, 2014

The Checkers didn't start the 2014-15 campaign the way they would have liked, but they closed out the three-game road swing on the right note with an overtime victory.

At the conclusion of their season opening three-in-three, the Checkers sit at 1-2, the worst opening mark for the team since their inaugural 2010-11 season. Charlotte has seen production from new faces (rookie Dennis Robertson and OT-hero Ben Holmstrom are tied for the club-lead in points) as well as old (Brendan Woods claims a share of the scoring lead and reigning AHL goal-scoring champ Zach Boychuk found the net in his first game), but it was only enough to muster up one win in the three chances.

The Checkers will be looking to keep the momentum of their win at Chicago as they return to Charlotte for the home opener on Friday. The team squares off with Grand Rapids, who came out of the first weekend 1-1, splitting their series with Lake Erie.

Week in Review

Checkers 3, Milwaukee 6

The Checkers began their season with a tough road loss to the Admirals, surrendering three goals in the third period on the way to a 6-3 defeat. Despite an early strike from Phil Di Giuseppe, the team found themselves down 3-1 in the second period, before Justin Shugg and Zach Boychuk sparked a comeback to even things up heading into the final frame. Milwaukee pulled ahead, however, with three unanswered tallies to complete the 6-3 rout. Drew MacIntyre finished with 21 saves and was saddled with the loss. Full recap

Checkers 1, Chicago 2

Despite a hard-fought battle until the final buzzer, the Checkers began a season with two consecutive losses for the first time in franchise-history. The lone Charlotte goal came from a rocket by Jared Staal, knotting the game at one midway through the second frame. Former Checker Jeremy Welsh answered later that period, however, and the Checkers weren't able to mount a final comeback, dropping the game 2-1. John Muse was in the crease for Charlotte and stopped 27 shots in a losing effort. Full recap

Checkers 2, Chicago 1 (OT)

The Checkers found the win column in their final tilt of the weekend, upending the Wolves 2-1 in overtime. Chicago found the scoreboard first, but newcomer Alex Aleardi came through on a five-minute power play for Charlotte and brought the game to a deadlock, one that could not be decided in regulation. Just 92 seconds into the extra frame, Ben Holmstrom picked up a loose puck in front and buried it for the game winner, giving the Checkers their first victory. Drew MacIntyre was stellar in goal, turning aside 42 of the 43 shots he faced from the Wolves and earning the win. Full recap

Notables

Rough Start

With the win Sunday in Chicago, the Checkers avoided what would have been the first 0-3 start in team history. But their current 1-2 mark is the first time that the team has failed to earn at least three points in the first three games since the 2010-11 season, where they would go on to begin the season 1-5.

Charlotte has scored six goals through the first three games, the lowest total in franchise history, and holds a goal differential of -3, the lowest since the inaugural year. The 58 shots on goal they registered during the weekend is the lowest amount through the first three games in the Checkers' five-year history, including a franchise-low 15 shots on Saturday.

Firsts

Seven players made their Checkers debut this weekend, including Trevor Carrick and Carter Sandlak, who also made their professional debuts. Carrick, Dennis Robertson and Brock McGinn all marked their first professional points, while Phil Di Giuseppe lit the lamp for his first pro goal. In addition, Ben Holmstrom and Alex Aleardi tallied their first points in a Charlotte sweater.

Been So Long

After signing with the Checkers in the offseason, Chad LaRose suited up for an AHL contest for the first time since December 3, 2005. The veteran of 508 career NHL games, all with the Hurricanes, is attempting a comeback after not playing professional hockey last season. The Stanley Cup champion has yet to register a point and is currently tied for fourth on the team with four shots on goal.

New Leadership

Defenseman Michal Jordan took the ice Friday as the third team captain in team history. Jordan, who ranks second in team history with 270 games played as a Checker, takes over for Brett Sutter, who signed with the Minnesota Wild after holding the role from 2011-14. Ben Holmstrom and Greg Nemisz are serving as new alternate captains, taking over for Nicolas Blanchard (St. John's) and Chris Terry (Carolina).

Three-In-Threes

With Sunday's win, the Checkers avoided going pointless in a three-in-three set, something that has only happened once prior in team history. Charlotte finished this weekend's three-in-three, one of only two on the season, with a 1-2-0 mark, leaving their all-time three-in-three record at 47-31-9. They are now 34-24-7 on the road and 15-13-1 in game three.

Ranks

• Goalie Drew MacIntyre leads the AHL in saves with 63.
• Rookie Dennis Robertson is tied for third among AHL defensemen in scoring (0g, 2a), tied for fourth in AHL rookie scoring and tied for the scoring lead among AHL rookie defensemen.
• Forward Kyle Hagel ranks third in the league in peanlty minutes (24).

Player Streaks

• Ben Holmstrom has points in each of his last two games (Oct. 11-12; 1g, 1a)
• Brendan Woods has assists and points in each of his last two games (Oct. 11-12; 0g, 2a)

Transactions

Outgoing

• Oct. 12 - (LW) Zach Boychuk recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte

Coming Up

By the Numbers

Team Statistics
CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	18.2%	14th	N/A
Penalty kill	92.9%	12th	N/A
Goals per game	2.00	20th	N/A
Shots per game	19.33	29th	N/A
Goals allowed per game	3.00	17th	N/A
Shots allowed per game	33.0	24th	N/A
Penalty minutes per game	19.0	11th	N/A

Team Leaders
CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Ben Holmstrom, Dennis Robertson, Brendan Woods (2)
Goals	Ben Holmstrom, Alex Aleardi, Zach Boychuk, Phil Di Giuseppe, Justin Shugg, Jared Staal (1)
Assists	Dennis Robertson, Brendan Woods (2)
Power play goals	Alex Aleardi, Phil Di Giuseppe (1)
Shorthanded goals	none
Game-winning goals	Ben Holmstrom (1)
Shots on goal	Zach Boychuk, Phil Di Diuseppe (8), Justin Shugg (6)
Penalty minutes	Kyle Hagel (24), Brendan Woods (11), Chad LaRose (6)
Plus/minus	Dennis Robertson, Brendan Woods, Phil Di Giuseppe (+1)
Wins	Drew MacIntyre (1)
Goals-against average	John Muse (2.04)
Save percentage	John Muse (.931)