The Checkers continue their homestand in the Queen City against the Grand Rapids Griffins, clashing with the AHL’s best on Friday and Saturday.
THE MATCHUP
- Record/Standings
- CLT - 25-14-3-0 (3rd, Atlantic Division)
- GR - 34-6-2-1 (1st, Central Division)
- Power Play / Penalty Kill
- CLT - 17.3% / 84.8%
- GR - 19.4% / 86.2%
- Offense / Defense
- CLT - 3.38 GF/Game / 2.81 GA/Game
- GR - 3.51 GF/Game / 1.93 GA/Game
- Head-To-Head
- 1-0-1-0
THE STORYLINES
GRIFFINS SOARING ALONG
Grand Rapids enters the weekend as the American Hockey League’s top team with 71 points through 43 games this season. Their storybook season has consisted of several records, including the following:- Best record in AHL history through 25 games (23-1-0-1, 47 pts.), 30 games (27-1-1-1, 56 pts.) and 40 games (32-5-2-1, 67 pts.), while tying for the best start through 35 games (29-3-2-1, 61 pts.)
- Reached the 60-point mark in just 32 games, three games faster than any team in AHL history
- AHL record 17-game road points streak from Oct. 10-Jan. 23 (15-0-1-1)
- Tied franchise-record 15-game winning streak from Nov. 22 - Dec. 27, which also tied for sixth-longest in AHL history
- Tied franchise-record 19-game points streak from Nov. 22-Jan. 7 (18-0-1-0)
PROMINENT PENALTY KILLS
This weekend’s games in the Queen City include the best two penalty-killing teams in the American Hockey League. The Griffins boast the league’s top PK, extinguishing 100 of 116 opposing power-play opportunities (86.2 percent). Charlotte sits right behind them, operating at 84.8 percent, going 134-for-158. At Bojangles Coliseum this season, their success rate rises to 86.1, conceding 11 goals on 79 chances (fifth-best in the AHL). Grand Rapids has only been put on the penalty kill 58 times in 20 road games, allowing nine power-play goals against away from Van Andel Arena (84.5 percent).Both teams are scoring threats while shorthanded, too. Grand Rapids has scored seven times while on the penalty kill; the Checkers have scored six SHGs. John Leonard is second in the AHL with three of his own. Leonard scored five shorthanded goals with the Checkers in 2024-25, finishing the year tied for the league lead. Brett Chorske leads this season’s group with two, notching one last Saturday against Providence in the third period.
PROMO-FILLED WEEKEND
The Checkers will be honoring First Responders during their game on Friday! Be on the lookout for vehicle displays, a special pregame presentation and live recognitions of our local heroes. For Greater Charlotte Area First Responders themselves, a special ticket offer is still available!On Saturday, the Checkers are celebrating USA Night, presented by The Independence Fund! The team will wear specialty jerseys for the game that will be available via an online auction that will end near the conclusion of the game. Proceeds from that auction will benefit The Independence Fund. Our USA Merchandise Collection is available now at the Checkers online store!
THE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- CHARLOTTE
- Jack Studnicka - 7 points in last 7 games
- Jack Devine - 11 points in last 8 games
- Brett Chorske - 3 points in last 3 games
- GRAND RAPIDS
- John Leonard - 8 points in last 8 games
- Nate Danielson - 5 points in last 5 games
- Eduards Tralmaks - 4 points in last 4 games
THE INFO
This weekend’s games - as well as every game this season - are available to stream via AHLTV on FloHockey! Click here to watch.Both games this weekend are broadcast locally, courtesy of WCCB. Fans can also listen to the radio broadcast on the Checkers App or online.
