Checkers Return from Break with Loss in San Antonio

The Checkers’ first game following the All-Star break did not go as hoped.

San Antonio took a 3-1 lead from an action-packed first period and never looked back en route to a 5-2 victory over a visiting Charlotte club on Friday. Alex Aleardi and Chad LaRose scored for the Checkers, who conclude a brief two-game road trip Saturday night in Texas. Drew MacIntyre made 28 saves in the losing effort.

With the loss, the Checkers’ all-time record in games immediately following the All-Star break fell to 3-2-0, with both losses coming in the last two seasons. They have lost four of five games against the division rival Rampage, who went to overtime against Texas Thursday night, this season.

Against a team that entered the game at a disadvantage in terms of rest but had an advantage in terms of being able to shake off rust, Charlotte gave up a breakaway goal to John McFarland just 4:32 into the first period to start things off. Even after Aleardi converted a generous rebound given up by Rampage goalie Michael Houser less than two minutes later, the home team made it 3-1 after just eight minutes of game time off a two-on-one rush finished by Jesse Blacker.

Checkers scoring leader Chad LaRose gave his team hope by scoring just 1:01 into the second period and extending his point streak to six games (4g, 3a) – the longest by a Checkers skater this season. However, they were unable to break through for further offense despite two consecutive power-play opportunities early in the third period.

Soon after the second of those two had expired, Butler scored a highlight-reel insurance goal by splitting the Checkers’ defense and chipping the puck over MacIntyre’s shoulder with just under seven minutes to play. He narrowly missed a hat trick when a subsequent effort rang off the post to MacIntyre’s left.

Despite falling into that 4-2 hole, the Checkers received a lifeline when Connor Brickley earned a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct on a play that injured Brock McGinn with 3:38 to play. However, a comeback attempt proved short-lived as Greg Zanon was able to take his time inside the defensive zone and fire a shot down the length of the ice and into the empty cage for a shorthanded goal, dropping the Checkers to 0-for-6 on the man advantage for the night.

McGinn, who was unable to get up for several moments following the hit, immediately left the game with help from Checkers staff.

The Checkers now depart for a Saturday night game in Texas that will conclude the eight-game season series between the two clubs.

NOTES

Prior to LaRose’s current six-game point streak, he and Ryan Murphy had each posted five-game streaks in December … LaRose, who led the Checkers in shots on goal for the season coming in, finished with a game-high of eight … Kyle Hagel, who entered the night with more fighting majors than any other AHL player (14), earned another with a bout against Tony Turgeon in the first period. That fight gave him 950 penalty minutes for his pro career … The Checkers finished the night 4-for-4 on the penalty kill, including a 42-second, two-man advantage enjoyed by San Antonio in the second period. They have killed 20 of 21 penalties over their last five games … Forwards Gabriel Desjardins, Greg Nemisz and Brendan Woods missed the game due to injury … Defenseman Beau Schmitz was a healthy extra.