CHARLOTTE, NC – The Checkers are off to a good start in their quest to gain maximum points from the last four games in the regular season with a win over the Ice Hogs 3-0. Brodie Sutter put Charlotte on the right path with a goal 5.46 into the first period. Bobby Sanguinetti fed an excellent pass to Sutter, who slotted the puck home.
Charlotte dominated the second period and added to their lead with a goal from defenseman Mathieu Roy. Roy intercepted a Rockford clearance and fired a rocket shot that flew off Ice Hogs goalie Carter Hutton into the net.
The Checkers have had problems during the second period in their four game losing streak allowing an average of three goals. Tonight was different however, they outshot Rockford 12-5 in the middle period and controlled the game.
Justin Peters in the Charlotte goal made 21 saves for his seventh AHL career shut-out. Peters made two excellent saves from Rockford’s Matt Fornataro in the first period, then in the third he came up big when the Ice Hogs were counterattacking.
With 3.08 remaining in the third Rasmus Rissanen put the game beyond Rockford with a shot that ricocheted through the Ice Hogs defense.
There are now three games remaining in the regular season, all of them on the road at Peoria on Friday April 13, Rockford on April 14then they face Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday April 15.
The Checkers announced today that if the team wins home advantage in the first round of the play-offs, games 3,4 and 5 (if necessary) will be played at Time Warner cable Arena. Should the Checkers not win home advantage, due to scheduling conflicts games 1 and 2 will be played at the PNC Arena, Raleigh. Transport will be provided for play-off ticket plan holders.
EddieMitchell@ProHockeyNews.com
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