Michal Jordan back to spark offense in Charlotte Checkers’ AHL win

Former Checkers captain Michal Jordan, down from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes on a conditioning stint, struck twice during the opening period Thursday night to help Charlotte to a 3-2 American Hockey League victory over the Iowa Wild.

Iowa began to mount a comeback in the third period. Defenseman Dylan Labbe threaded one through traffic and five minutes into the period lead was cut in half.

With less than six minutes to play, to go it was Drayson Bowman who gave the Checkers their cushion back, firing a quick backhander that beat Leland Irving low and put the home team ahead by two goals again. The Wild made things interesting with a score less than one minute later, but the Checkers’ defense buckled down and held on.

“If I’ve got a lane, I’ll keep shooting,” Jordan said.

While Jordan handled the bulk of the offense, a new face was holding down things in goal.

Daniel Altshuller made his AHL debut, coming away with 24 saves and earning his first victory.

A second-year pro, he has been excelling with the Florida Everblades, leading the ECHL league in goals-against average and save percentage.

The Checkers will close out this homestand with meetings with Lake Erie on Saturday and Sunday.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Michal Jordan back to spark offense in Charlotte Checkers’ AHL win."