Checkers Bounce Back against Barons

After a tough loss two nights ago, the Checkers bounced back and took down the first-place Oklahoma City Barons 4-2.

Just like Tuesday, the Checkers were once again able to create a whirlwind of pressure right off the bat, outshooting the Barons 20-8 in the first frame to set a season high for shots in a single period. The difference tonight was that they were able to capitalize and take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

“We played a faster game today as opposed to the other night where we were kind of straight-legged,” said head coach Jeff Daniels. “I thought, especially in the first period, we were skating and we were on top of them. We stayed after them and for me it was a great win for us.”

Andrew Miller cut the Checkers’ lead in half with a strike early in the second frame, but a power-play goal later in the period put Charlotte back in front and would prove to be the eventual game-winner. With their power-play unit struggling mightily so far this season, ranking last in the AHL, tonight’s tally was certainly a sign that the team is moving in the right direction.

“I thought it was the best our power play has looked in a while with the way they were moving the puck and getting some looks, and then you score an ugly goal,” said Daniels. “It wasn’t a pretty one, but just from a confidence standpoint for the power play it helps a little bit.”

“We’re just putting a lot of emphasis on our power play and really prioritizing scoring goals,” said Biega. “I think a lot of guys, including myself, put pressure on ourselves to score just because we haven’t in a long time. I think that’s what’s leading to our success.”

A third period goal from the red-hot Anton Lander wasn’t enough for Oklahoma City, as a Ben Holmstrom empty-netter from his own zone iced the game and sent the Checkers home victorious.

The win continued the team’s trend this season of coming back after dropping the front half of a back-to-back and avenging themselves. While they will have to learn to string those performances together if they want to make up ground in the standings, the Checkers have shown heart.

“I think you can credit the leadership in that room with making sure we bounce back after a game,” said Daniels. “It’s just the character in general. We talk about if you want to be a pro and want to get to the next level you’ve got to be consistent.”

“It’s so important just to come into every game and play it the same way,” said Biega. “We’ve definitely got to improve on our consistency, and I think if we do that I really like our chances moving forward.”

After downing the division-leading Barons, the Checkers will quickly turn their eyes to the second-place San Antonio Rampage for two contests before heading into the holidays. With more efforts like the one we saw tonight, the team should continue to see those pucks find the net as they aim to climb back up the standings.

“I think everyone did their part tonight,” said Ryan Murphy, who contributed two assists tonight, running his team-leading total to 14. “We were working hard, we were getting pucks deep, we were winning battles and we were relentless on the forecheck. It’s huge when we start to earn the pucks in the offensive zone and it’s a lot more fun playing down there.”

“This team has battled,” said Daniels. “I know our record is not what we want it to be, but to the credit of the guys they’ve always fought and battled every single night. It’s something that as a coach you’re proud of, and hopefully we can get rewarded with some wins now.”

NOTES

Jared Staal’s fifth goal of the season to put Checkers up 1-0 was a new career high. It extended his point streak to a career-best three games (2g, 1a) … Biega’s goal was his first career power-play goal … Murphy’s two assists tied him with Greg Nemisz for the team’s scoring lead. Murphy has 14 points, all assists, in 19 games … Murphy’s first assist was his 50th pro point … The Checkers’ 20 first-period shots were a season high … The Barons had earned at least one point in each of their last eight games against the Checkers (5-0-3) dating back to Charlotte’s last regulation win on Jan. 24 of last season … Brock McGinn had two assists, a plus-two rating and led the Checkers with five shots … Defenseman Mike Little, who played for the Checkers on Tuesday and for their ECHL affiliate in Florida on Wednesday, was back in Charlotte’s lineup after arriving just before game time, without his gear … Forwards Greg Nemisz and Brody Sutter and defensemen Keegan Lowe and Beau Schmitz missed the game due to injury.