The visitors came out with a vengeance in the opening frame, doubling up the Checkers in shots on goal but failing to convert on any chances. Charlotte broke the scoring open in the second, with Patrick Dwyer tapping in a Levko Koper shot that leaked through Stars netminder Justin Peters, followed by a power-play snipe off the stick of Phil Di Giuseppe.
The Checkers held strong down the stretch of the third, but the Stars were finally able to put one on the board in the waning moments of regulation to break up Tom McCollum’s shutout bid and make it a one-goal game. But Texas’ comeback hopes didn’t last long, as Connor Brickley swooped in to cash in on the empty net off the ensuing faceoff and push the Checkers’ lead back to 3-1, where it would stay for the remaining seconds of the game.
QUOTES
Head coach Ulf Samuelsson on his team’s performance:
“We’ve had some issues with our afternoon games so we changed our routine a little bit and I think we actually played pretty good. Sometimes it’s harder to get up for the afternoon games, but I thought our boys did a real good job.”
Samuelsson on the power-play units:
“They played well. We got a nice power-play goal again – our power-play is clicking and are passing is a lot crisper. That was the turning point.”
Samuelsson on playing in big games:
“That’s what happens when you have a slump like we did in October and November. We’re paying the price for that now, but we’re playing well and I’m looking forward to the next three games.”
Samuelsson on the feeling in the locker room:
“They’re having fun. It’s a great group of kids we’ve had the whole year with a good work ethic, but we’ve been a little depleted at times. We’ve got some players back, and there’s a lot of confidence in that room right now.”
Dwyer on the team’s response after last night:
“That’s a once-a-season occurrence in this league, so we knew after last night that they were going to push back with a better effort, and they did. I think they made us respond early and figure out our game and that it wasn’t going to be a game like last night. The guys responded well and we were able to get a win.”
Dwyer on the team’s success at home:
“Our fans have been great all year and tonight was no different. We’ve found that if you win at home in this league you can make things a lot easier on yourself in the playoff hunt. We had a spell earlier in the year where we weren’t winning on the road, but our winning record at home kept us in the hunt to be in the position we’re in now.”
Dwyer on the upcoming schedule:
It gets even tighter now with three games left and we’re playing the top two teams in our division. It’s going to be a grind, but we know Cleveland has a tough schedule ahead of it too. We’ve got to take care of what we can take care of, and it’s a three-game sprint from here on out. There’s nothing to save it for, because if you save it you might be sitting on a beach in April.
Tom McCollum on his long run of games:
I actually feel great. Fortunately I had quite a few months of rest while I was in Stockton so I’ve got a lot of energy stockpiled. I’m looking forward to getting these last two games under my belt and hopefully getting into the playoffs.
McCollum on the coaching staff sticking with him:
That definitely helps as a goalie – knowing that the coach has full faith in you to go out there night after night even after you lose a game. It helps keep me loose when I’m playing and doesn’t make it quite as stressful.
McCollum on the importance of next week:
I think it’s going to be great for our team and an early taste of playoff hockey for our guys. We’re going to be playing two good teams, and I’ve played a lot of games in both buildings, especially in the playoffs. It’s going to be a great atmosphere in all three of those games so it’s going to be fun for us.
