Charlotte Checkers open AHL playoffs with record-setting win over Springfield
The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.
Jack Studnicka scored twice and added two assists to lead Charlotte to an 8-1 win over Springfield in their AHL first-round playoff game. Noah Gregor added a pair of goals for the Checkers, whose eight goals set a franchise record for goals in a playoff game.
“(Studnicka is) a guy that came in, went up (to the Florida Panthers), was injured for a little bit, and he’s finally got some rhythm to his game and found some linemates that he has some chemistry with,” Charlotte head coach Geordie Kinnear said after the game. “He’s developed a relationship with me, which is important with a veteran guy, and obviously he carried over Sunday to today. He’s super excited about being in the playoffs and being a major contributor.”
Marek Alscher, Nolan Foote, Sandis Vilmanis and Tobias Bjornfot also scored in the rout for Charlotte, which will host Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 of the series this week.
“It was a really good start,” Kinnear said. “I thought the first period and a half was obviously really good. We kind of lost the intensity with the power plays and the slowness to the game in the second period, but obviously the first period was really good.”
Charlotte dominated the first period, outshooting Springfield 15-2 in the opening frame while building a 4-0 advantage, chasing starting keeper Vadim Zherenko. Another 13 shots in the second produced three more goals against backup goalie Will Cranley.
“When we’re going, that’s what it usually looks like,” Kinnear said. “I thought it was team defense and when you’re giving up two shots, it’s looks how we want to play as a group. I’ll repeat myself though, it’s only a start.”
Cooper Black allowed only a third-period goal to Julien Gauthier in the third in the win, stopping 18 of 19.
“I just think that we believe in our systems and that GK does a fantastic job coaching us,” Black said. “You can see it tonight. We went out there hot, stuck to the systems, and obviously it got to Springfield. They got a little momentum back in the third because it was one of those games where you can kind of coast a little bit. Even I was guilty of that on that goal. I think going into next game we’ve got to stick to the plan and I think we’ll be alright.”
The teams will regroup for Game 2 on Friday at 7 p.m.
“Each game that goes along in the playoff it gets a little more ramped up, so we’ve got to put this one to bed and be ready to go for Friday,” Kinnear said.