After taking the last two games at home against the Stockton Heat, the Moose matched up against a team in the thick of the playoff race – the Charlotte Checkers. With a roster that currently includes more than a half-dozen players from the ECHL, the Moose are long on heart and short on skill, but are playing out a disappointing season with integrity. After backing up Hellebuyck in the past two games, Eric Comrie got the start in goal.
Game Recap:
First Period
Five minutes in, the Checkers came in two-on-one and forward Erik Karlsson took a pass off his skate and fired one past Eric Comrie on the blocker side. 1-0 Checkers.
The Moose had three powerplay opportunities – including a 5-on-3 – but couldn’t light the lamp
Second Period
One minute in, Derek Ryan made a nice feed across to Checker’s captain Derek Ryan – Ryan made a deke, got Comrie to open up, and beat him five-hole. 2-0 Checkers.
Just 30 seconds later, Derek Arnold walked into the slot and beat Comrie short-side with a wicked wrister off the post. 3-0 Checkers. Connor Hellebuyck came in to relieve Comrie.
With under two minutes left in the second, Ben Walker flew down the left wing and let go a quick wrist shot which went through John Muse. Moose now down 3-1.
With about 20 seconds left, Scott Kosmachuk crossed the Checkers’ line with speed and dropped for Dan DeSalvo, who took a smart shot on goal – shooting to create a rebound. The rebound found Kosmachuk’s stick, and he buried it past Muse to get the Moose within 1.
Third Period
Two minutes in, a Checkers’ point shot was deflected and fluttered towards the goal – it was gloved down by a Checkers forward and centred to Erik Karlsson, who scored his second of the night. Moose down 4-2.
Small, shifty Russian winger, Sergei Tolchinsky, skated into the Moose end on his off-wing and cut slyly to the middle, then roofed the puck blocker side on Hellebuyck. 5-2 Checkers.
An empty-netter with 53 seconds left sealed things. 6-2 Checkers final.
Injury Notes
Josh Morrissey – out since March 7 – didn’t play tonight. He’s still a week or two away from game action.
Tonight’s Best Moose
Scott Kosmachuk – He scored a big goal late in the second, using nothing but speed and determination. Kosmachuk has the hands and shot, and when he plays with that type of urgency, he is extremely effective.
Jake Baker – He stood out defensively, breaking up a few plays where the Checkers were looking dangerous off the rush. He skates well for a guy who stands 6’5. So far, he’s been an interesting find for the Moose, and might get an opportunity to play on the team full-time next season.
Dan DeSalvo – He made a smart play on the Kosmachuk goal, and looked dangerous in the offensive end on a few occasions. He’s a player cut from the Petan cloth – small, skilled, and very heady with the puck. Like Baker, he’d be a nice addition to the Moose roster for next year.
Audio
Scott Kosmachuk talks about the game, and his transition back to the AHL after being with the Jets
Keith McCambridge discusses tonight’s loss
