The Checkers are back on home ice and looking to get back on track as they host the North Division-leading Crunch for a pair of tilts.
THE MATCHUP
- Record/Standings
- CLT - 4-4-1-0 (5th Atlantic)
- SYR - 8-2-0-0 (1st North)
- Power Play / Penalty Kill
- CLT - 16.1% (22nd) / 80.5% (17th)
- SYR - 23.8% (10th) / 86.5% (4th)
- Offense / Defense
- CLT - 3.00 GF/Game (17th) / 3.44 GA/Game (26th)
- SYR - 3.90 GF/Game (t-3rd) / 2.50 GA/Game (t-6th)
- Head-To-Head
- 0-0-0-0
THE STORYLINES
RIGHTING THE SHIP
Since starting the season 3-1-0-0 the Checkers have faced a bit of a rough patch as of late, holding a 1-3-1-0 record over their last five games. Across those four losses Charlotte scored a total of five goals, while the lone victory saw the team pot five goals in that contest alone.Despite the skid, the Checkers have not lost back-to-back games in regulation this season. In fact, the last time they registered consecutive regulation losses was Jan. 11 and 14 of last season.
They’ll look to get back into the win column against a Syracuse team that has started the season strong, boasting an 8-2-0-0 record that ranks as the fourth best in the AHL.
CAP IS BACK
After missing four games due to injury, Trevor Carrick returned to the lineup during the most recent road trip - picking up a point in each of his two games back.The next game that Carrick plays will be his 700th in the AHL, making him the 91st player to reach that milestone. The Checkers captain is also one shy of 100 AHL goals, something only six defensemen have ever done.
POWER OUTAGE
The Checkers enter the weekend looking to shake out of a slump on the man advantage. They have not scored a power-play goal in any of their last five contests and are mired in an 0-for-19 run.On the other side, Syracuse sports the fourth-ranked penalty kill in the league, but gave up three goals on eight opportunities over its last two games.
THE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Charlotte
- Trevor Carrick - 2 points in last 2 games
- Sandis Vilmanis - 3 points in last 4 games
- Wilmer Skoog - 3 points in last 4 games
- Syracuse
- Wojciech Stachowiak - 5 points in last 4 games
- Jakob Pelletier - 8 points in last 6 games
- Dylan Duke - 7 points in last 5 games
THE INFO
Friday's game is Military Appreciation Night! The Checkers will be honoring veterans throughout the night and themed merch will be available at the merch store.Saturday is the music festival-themed Checkerschella!
DJ Troy will kick things off by playing in the parking lot at 4, Carson Lee Bradshaw Featuring Megan Hawkins will play in the Connector at 4:30 and in the Coliseum during the first intermission and Greazy Keyz will play in the Coliseum during the second intermission.
Fans can also get an exclusive menu item in the Red Line Club - Bacon-wrapped fried pickles, served with a spicy remoulade.
If you can't make it to the Coliseum this weekend, the games - along with every game this season - are available via the new AHLTV on FloHockey! Click here to get a subscription.
Fans can also listen to the radio broadcast on the Checkers App or online.
