Charlotte Checkers open home slate with a win after a deep playoff run

The Charlotte Checkers didn’t just win their home opener. They announced they’re back, and they’re intent defending their Eastern Conference crown.

Six different goal scorers torched Iowa, 6-2, on Friday night at Bojangles Coliseum, a statement of depth that suggests the defending champs are built to repeat.

Kai Schwindt got it started. The young forward tapped home his first goal of the season 7:40 into the first period, setting an early blueprint. Wilmer Skoog slipped the puck in front from behind the net, and Schwindt finished.

“I was obviously pretty fired up to get (the goal) in my first game of the season at home too, so it was pretty cool,” Schwindt said. “I wasn’t really trying to do much, but it worked out.”

Gracyn Sawchyn followed in the first, extending the lead to 2-0. Iowa’s Caedan Bankier answered 16 seconds later to cut it to 2-1, but Skoog banked in his second goal of the season on an assist from Schwindt to make it 3-1 after one.

Special teams click early

The Checkers converted on their first power play opportunity of the night 5:14 into the second period, when Ryan McAllister buried one, pushing the lead to 4-1. Jean-Luc Foudy’s goal trimmed it to 3-2 before Jack Devine answered immediately with a slapshot from just inside the blue line to restore the three-goal advantage at 5-2.

Charlotte finished 1 for 1 on the power play and 5 for 6 on the penalty kill, early indicators that special teams could become a strength.

Ben Steeves’ breakout night

Ben Steeves put the final punctuation mark on the game with 8:01 remaining, converting on a backhand maneuver for his third goal of the season. The forward had already notched two power play goals in Charlotte’s first two games, establishing himself as a threat in multiple situations.

Carrick’s leadership on display

Trevor Carrick was named the eighth captain in franchise history before puck drop, a recognition of his standing in the organization and his durability. The 31-year-old defenseman holds the franchise record with 416 games in a Checkers sweater and returns off a career-high 50 points last season.

His presence as a leader was felt even though he didn’t factor into the scoring. Head coach Geordie Kinnear pointed to veteran leadership as critical in the third period, when Charlotte’s defense tightened considerably with the game in hand.

“I thought our leaders took charge of the third period and showed the guys a way to play,” Kinnear said.

One concern: Carrick appeared to suffer an injury late in the third after taking a hard check into the boards, grabbing at his wrist area. He returned to the bench, but Kinnear offered no update on his status beyond noting the physical nature of the sport.

Balanced scoring defines the night

The six goal scorers represented exactly what the Checkers will lean on this season — depth. Rather than relying on one or two offensive anchors, Charlotte distributed scoring across its lineup. Schwindt, Sawchyn, Skoog, McAllister, Devine and Steeves all found the net.

It mirrors the approach that got them to the Eastern Conference Final last season. With new players like Schwindt adjusting to the pro level and veterans like Carrick providing structure, the Checkers have the pieces to repeat.

“It’s great for me at the start of the year because you see the end of the year last year, see what we have to get through, the building blocks, the teaching moments,” Kinnear said. “We have a lot of new players. We have a lot of young players. So as a coach, I got to be a really good teacher.”

Goaltender Cooper Black made 29 of 31 saves and kept the Checkers in the game early when Iowa applied pressure. Kinnear praised his performance in the opening minutes.

“Some of those shots, they look easy but I thought he did a good job, especially early because we were kind of on our heels for a little bit,” Kinnear said.

For Schwindt, scoring in front of 8,020 fans at Bojangles Coliseum was a moment he’ll carry forward. It was his first game at home.

“That was special,” he said. “I’ve only played one game in this building, but tonight it was awesome, just a great energy in the building.”