CHARLOTTE, NC – For the third time in as many games Charlotte lost a home game, this time to Abbotsford Heat 2-1. The game was part of a double-header with the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats.
Charlotte began the game against Abbotsford Heat as they did the previous night, brightly, then the wheels came off. The score was tied at 0-0 at the end of the first period then for the first time in five games the Checkers scored first through Mathieu Roy. On a power play, Roy shot from the right circle catching Heat’s goalie Danny Taylor by surprise.
Abbotsford quickly equalized through Krys Kolanos who picked up a rebound to beat Justin Peters in the Charlotte goal. At that stage of the game Abbotsford were dominating with a 10-3 shot advantage.
Charlotte has struggled over the past several games in front of goal that poor form continued. They came alive at the end of each period but never really threatened the Heat’s goal. The Checkers made opportunities but they were unable to put the puck into Abbotsford’s goal. It is as if Charlotte have lost all confidence, they have lost that swagger that they had.
On paper the Checkers had a solid line-up with Drayson Bowman returning from the Hurricanes and Bobby Sanguinetti back from injury. Charlotte is not producing that killer instinct when attacking.
Kolanos added to his goal tally in the third period scoring Abbotsford’s winner and his second. This loss now means Charlotte is eighth in the Western Conference; this is subject to games taking place later today.
Justin Peters in the Checkers goal made 38 saves while the Heats Danny Taylor made several big saves that included one from Bowman with only a few seconds left in the game.
The Checkers face Abbotsford again Sunday April 8 at 3pm; this is the final home game of the regular season. The team then travel away for the final four games against the Ice Hogs, the Rivermen, who they play twice, they finish at Milwaukee on April 15th.
The fans voted Mathieu Roy winner of the Roll Up Your Sleeves Hardest Worker of the Game. At the first intermission the Checkers in conjunction with Wheels for Forest, presented a local family with a new van that was donated by Hendrick Automotive Group.
EddieMitchell@ProHockeyNews.com
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