That other goalkeeper gives Checkers some insurance

The Charlotte Checkers’ Alex Nedeljkovic led the American Hockey League in goalkeepers’ victories last season and is No. 1 in that category again this year.

But there is another goalie on the Checkers’ roster, and he’s a part of what some hockey analysts believe is the best netminding duo in the AHL.

Callum Booth, a 6-4, 195-pound native of Montreal, was superb in goal Sunday as the Checkers beat the Laval Rocket 3-1. Booth, 21, improved his season record to 3-1.

He was the goalkeeper on a Quebec Junior League championship team (Saint John) in 2017, two years after being drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Hurricanes. Booth was the No. 1 goalkeeper last season with the Florida Everblades, who reached the ECHL playoff finals.

His presence on the Charlotte roster gives coach Mike Vellucci a strong option, especially in situations like last week, when the Checkers played four games in six days. Vellucci was able to give Nedeljkovic a day off Sunday, and Booth delivered.

“I was impressed with his game today, more than he’s played in his other games with us,” Vellucci told the Checkers’ website. “He was a lot calmer in net, he made big saves when he had to, he moved the puck really well.”

Booth said he has been working hard in his backup role but really enjoys getting game time. “I think you realize when you go out there, how much you love playing hockey,” he said.

As Booth gets more comfortable in goal, he’s likely to see increased playing time – especially in situations like next weekend, when the Checkers play three games in a span of 44 hours.

Here’s a look at the Checkers’ past week, and what’s ahead:

Tuesday: Charlotte opened a four-game home stand with a thud, falling 5-1 to the Belleville Senators. Valentin Zykov scored for the Checkers.

Wednesday: A Thanksgiving eve crowd of 6,879 saw a thriller as the Checkers beat Belleville 3-2 in overtime. Charlotte pulled Nedeljkovic for an extra skater in the closing minutes, and Aleksi Saarela scored the tying goal. Then rookie Martin Necas got the game-winner with 38 seconds left in overtime.

Saturday: A big crowd of 7,341 saw the Checkers down Laval 4-2. Jake Bean got the winning goal.

Sunday: Necas scored on a rebound in the third period, giving the Checkers the winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Laval. Roland McKeown added an empty-net goal in the final minutes.

The standings: Charlotte has the best record in the AHL and owns a six-point lead over second-place Bridgeport Sound in the Atlantic Division. The Checkers also lead the league in goals scored, averaging 4.5 per game.

The week ahead: The Checkers hit the road, playing Friday at Providence (7:05 p.m.), Saturday at Hartford (7 p.m.) and Sunday at Providence (3:05). Charlotte is on the road until Dec. 13, when it launched a six-game home stand leading up to Christmas.