GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 at Charlotte Checkers 2 (SO)

March 12, 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Powered by regulation and shootout goals from Justin Shugg, the Charlotte Checkers posted a 2-1 shootout win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Time Warner Cable Arena Thursday. Despite the loss, the Midwest Division leaders set a franchise record with 17 consecutive games with a point earned.

Over its last 17 games, Grand Rapids (36-17-6-2) posted a 13-0-3-1 record and eclipsed the previous record set between 10/25/02-11/30/02.

Over this recent stretch that saw them play seven of their last eight games away from Van Andel Arena, the Griffins claimed 14 of 16 available points going 6-0-1-1.

The first period went scoreless and penalty-free but didn’t lack excitement by the home team in the final minute. The Checkers threw a plethora of shots on goaltender Tom McCollum including a backhander by Brody Sutter that hit McCollum’s blocker as he dove to his right.

The tempo picked up in the second stanza but didn’t feature any goals. Six of the seven penalties called in the contest was called in the second, with the best scoring chance came from Zach Boychuk when Scott Czarnowczan was serving a penalty for interference.

The momentum was swinging towards Charlotte, but it was Martin Frk scoring the first goal of the contest in the third period at 3:02. Frk’s third goal of the season came when he fired a wrister from 20 feet between MacIntyre’s pads that left the Charlotte goaltender frozen when the puck entered the net.

Charlotte (24-3-5-1) evened the score when Shugg faked a slap shot, walked in on a retreating defense and ripped a wrist shot from the left circle at 11:14.

The 4-on-4 segment of overtime was mostly played in the Charlotte zone. The Griffins peppered MacIntyre with shot after shot but couldn’t convert. Their best chance came when Nathan Paetsch hit the crossbar just before overtime switched to 3-on-3.

Despite being outshot 10-5 in overtime and 48-35 in the contest, it was Charlotte who put 2 past McCollum in the shootout. Andy Miele scored in the first round for Grand Rapids (36-17-6-2) while Brock McGinn evened it in the second round. Shugg scored in the third round with 15-foot wrist shot and Kevin Porter couldn’t extend the shootout as his shot sailed over the net.

MacIntyre made 47 saves on 48 shots to earn the win. McCollum took the loss, turning away 33 of 34 shots. Grand Rapids went 0-for-1 on the power play and Charlotte didn’t score on four power play opportunities.

Grand Rapids will return to home ice for its next two games, with the first coming Saturday against Rockford at 8 p.m.

Note: With 185 career games played for Grand Rapids, McCollum is set to surpass Jimmy Howard (186) for second place in all-time games played by a Griffins goalie during the regular season... Joey MacDonald tops the list with 210 career games played with the team.

Three Stars: 1. CHA MacIntyre (W, 47 saves); 2. CHA Shugg (goal, shootout-clinching goal); 3. GR McCollum (SOL, 33 saves)

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 at Charlotte Checkers 2 (SO)

March 12, 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Powered by regulation and shootout goals from Justin Shugg, the Charlotte Checkers posted a 2-1 shootout win over the Grand Rapids Griffins at Time Warner Cable Arena Thursday. Despite the loss, the Midwest Division leaders set a franchise record with 17 consecutive games with a point earned.

Over its last 17 games, Grand Rapids (36-17-6-2) posted a 13-0-3-1 record and eclipsed the previous record set between 10/25/02-11/30/02.

Over this recent stretch that saw them play seven of their last eight games away from Van Andel Arena, the Griffins claimed 14 of 16 available points going 6-0-1-1.

The first period went scoreless and penalty-free but didn’t lack excitement by the home team in the final minute. The Checkers threw a plethora of shots on goaltender Tom McCollum including a backhander by Brody Sutter that hit McCollum’s blocker as he dove to his right.

The tempo picked up in the second stanza but didn’t feature any goals. Six of the seven penalties called in the contest was called in the second, with the best scoring chance came from Zach Boychuk when Scott Czarnowczan was serving a penalty for interference.

The momentum was swinging towards Charlotte, but it was Martin Frk scoring the first goal of the contest in the third period at 3:02. Frk’s third goal of the season came when he fired a wrister from 20 feet between MacIntyre’s pads that left the Charlotte goaltender frozen when the puck entered the net.

Charlotte (24-3-5-1) evened the score when Shugg faked a slap shot, walked in on a retreating defense and ripped a wrist shot from the left circle at 11:14.

The 4-on-4 segment of overtime was mostly played in the Charlotte zone. The Griffins peppered MacIntyre with shot after shot but couldn’t convert. Their best chance came when Nathan Paetsch hit the crossbar just before overtime switched to 3-on-3.

Despite being outshot 10-5 in overtime and 48-35 in the contest, it was Charlotte who put 2 past McCollum in the shootout. Andy Miele scored in the first round for Grand Rapids (36-17-6-2) while Brock McGinn evened it in the second round. Shugg scored in the third round with 15-foot wrist shot and Kevin Porter couldn’t extend the shootout as his shot sailed over the net.

MacIntyre made 47 saves on 48 shots to earn the win. McCollum took the loss, turning away 33 of 34 shots. Grand Rapids went 0-for-1 on the power play and Charlotte didn’t score on four power play opportunities.

Grand Rapids will return to home ice for its next two games, with the first coming Saturday against Rockford at 8 p.m.

Note: With 185 career games played for Grand Rapids, McCollum is set to surpass Jimmy Howard (186) for second place in all-time games played by a Griffins goalie during the regular season... Joey MacDonald tops the list with 210 career games played with the team.

Three Stars: 1. CHA MacIntyre (W, 47 saves); 2. CHA Shugg (goal, shootout-clinching goal); 3. GR McCollum (SOL, 33 saves)