Weekly Report: The Checkers Return to the Ice, Joey Daccord Shines and More

For the first time in over a year, the new-look Checkers hit the ice and pulled off a road split in Pennsylvania to start off the 2021-22 season.

Week in Review

Checkers 2, Hershey 4

Penalties haunted the Checkers in their season opener, as the Bears struck twice on the man advantage en route to a 5-2 victory. Full recap

Checkers 5, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2

The Checkers shook off any rust from the night before with a decisive victory over the Penguins behind two-point efforts from Alex True and Lucas Carlsson and 26 saves by Joey Daccord. Full recap

Three Stars Of The Week

NOTABLES

1) DACCORD STANDS TALL

Joey Daccord shined in his first start for Charlotte, stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced to lead the Checkers over the Penguins. The 25-year-old netminder shut down a Penguins squad coming off a big win the night before, including denying an 11-shot barrage in the middle frame and helping Charlotte successfully kill of two of three man advantages.

2) TRUE TAKES OVER

It hasn’t taken long for Alex True to find the back of the net this season, as the forward lit the lamp in both of Charlotte’s contests this weekend. True, who posted 20 points in 27 games for the San Jose Barracuda a season ago and holds a career high of 24 goals in an AHL campaign, also added a helper on Max McCormick’s third-period tally on Saturday to clinch three points in his first two games.

3) HUTSKO STEPS UP

Logan Hutsko didn’t show any rookie jitters in his first pro games this weekend, turning in three assists over the two contests. The Boston College product meshed well with his linemates McCormick and True, with the trio each posting a +3 rating across the road trip.

4) POWERING UP

The Charlotte power play was a bright spot over the weekend, converting once in each contest. The Checkers didn’t have a ton of opportunities on the man advantage, but their two strikes on five chances ties them for third in the league with a 40-percent clip.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

This connection from True to Chase Priskie on the man advantage was not only a thing of beauty, it stood as the game winner!

A picture-perfect play from the powerplay unit ? pic.twitter.com/7DulVnTJJ2

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) October 17, 2021

RANKS

• Alex True is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals (2)
• Logna Hutsko is tied for third in the AHL in assists (3) and tied for second among rookies
• Alex True and Logan Hutsko are both tied for ninth in the AHL in scoring (3)
• Lucas Carlsson is tied for second in the AHL in plus/minus (+4) and tied for the lead among defensemen
• Joey Daccord is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals-against average (1.00) and ranks sixth in save percentage (.963)

INJURIES

• Karch Bachman - Missed two games starting 10/16

Transactions

Incoming

• Oct. 15 - Chase Priskie - Assigned by Florida (NHL)
• Oct. 15 - Maxim Mamin - Assigned by Florida (NHL)
• Oct. 14 - Frank Hora - Signed to PTO
• Oct. 13 - Alex True - Assigned by Seattle (NHL)

Outgoing

• Oct. 14 - Matt Kiersted - Recalled by Florida (NHL)

Coming Up

By the Numbers

CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	40.0%	t-3rd	--
Penalty kill	66.7%	t-25th	--
Goals per game	3.00	t-13th	--
Shots per game	23.50	t-26th	--
Goals allowed per game	3.00	t-16th	--
Shots allowed per game	30.50	t-18th	--
Penalty minutes per game	9.00	t-24th	-

LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Alex True, Logan Hutsko (3), Lucas Carlsson, Max McCormick (2)
Goals	Alex True (2), Four tied (1)
Assists	Hutsko (3), Six tied (1)
Power play goals	Aleksi Heponiemi, Alex True (1)
Shorthanded goals	None
Game-winning goals	Alex True (1)
Shots on goal	Zac Dalpe (6), Lucas Carlsson, Scott Wilson (5)
Penalty minutes	Max McCormick (4), Seven tied (2)
Plus/minus	Lucas Carlsson (+4), Four tied (+3)
Wins	Joey Daccord (1)
Goals-against average	Joey Daccord (1.00)
Save percentage	Joey Daccord (.963)