Charlotte Checkers: Take 2-1 Series Lead in Chicago

The Charlotte Checkers have taken control of this series, as they win Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead with a 4-1 win in Chicago, Illinois. They have gained all the momentum and they can continue it in Game 4 tonight.

The Checkers won Game 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday. They were going to need to set the tone in Game 3 in Chicago, on a long road trip against the Wolves. Oh boy, they did just that, the defense clicked, the forwards clicked, and especially goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic clicked, after seeing an iffy performance in Game 1.

Both teams have started their first home games of this series with a loss. Game 1, Checkers lose. Game 3, Wolves lose. The Checkers will need to repeat this success for the next two games in Chicago.

In the first period, the Wolves actually led shots on goal 15-6. Nedeljkovic stood tall and the Checkers would take full advantage of their opportunity, with Julien Gauthier putting Charlotte on the board first.

Jake Bean would give The Bean a visit as he would pot in a powerplay goal, to give the Checkers a 2-0 lead. In the same period as the powerplay was successful, the penalty-kill was more than just successful at killing off their penalties, but Patrick Brown would score shorthanded to give the Checkers a 3-0 lead.

The Chicago Wolves would finally get on the board, despite Nedeljkovic haunting them all night with miraculous saves, with Brooks Macek scoring. Martin Necas would score the dagger into the empty-net, giving the Checkers the insured 4-1 win.

Despite the 4-1 score, not just the offense clicked. Jake Bean scored from blue-line contribution on the powerplay and he would get an assist on Gauthier’s opening goal. Nedeljkovic played out of his mind this game. With mostly any other goalie in the American Hockey League, you probably don’t win that game, unless they were as hot as Nedeljkovic was.

Considering the Wolves having a 39-26 shots on goal advantage, the Checkers took full advantage of their chances and made the Wolves pay. The Checkers played more of “get quality shots” over “put pucks on net”, compared to the Wolves. Nedeljkovic got in their heads and the Wolves just couldn’t capitalize.

With the 2-1 series lead, the Checkers should look to getting a 3-1 series lead by beating the Wolves again. The Wolves don’t have a lot of rest time, neither do the Checkers, but the Checkers have momentum and the Wolves don’t have lots of time to recover from a bad loss. They’re playing with lots of confidence and drive right now, the expectations are a win.

Game 4 will be tonight on the NHL Network, between the Charlotte Checkers and Chicago Wolves 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time. The Checkers are only two wins away from winning the Calder Cup. It will be an interesting one.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: Will Alex Nedeljkovic find a spot in the Carolina Hurricanes lineup for the 2019-2020 season?