While the boys finish up their California dreamin’ and wrap up their series with the Gulls, we’re back with another episode of In the Trapezoid! A big week is just days away at the Coliseum with the Checkers hosting the Monsters and Penguins for four games in six days. Who’s ready? Let’s jump in!
Carlsson's Come Up
After scoring just one point in his first five games, Lucas Carlsson is back to being the heavy-hitting offensive defenseman that we’ve come to love over the past three seasons. Following that slow start, Carlsson is now your team leader in points with 12 through 12 games. In addition, he registered his first career hat-trick last week in a win against the Barracuda. On a larger scale, he leads the AHL in game-winning goals (4), leads the league in goals among defensemen (7), and is second in the AHL in points among defensemen (12).Home Cookin'
Through the first part of the season, it’s apparent that this Checkers team is one that was built for home. Currently, the Checkers are on a five-game win streak at Bojangles' Coliseum which ties their season-high mark from a year ago. Their five-straight wins at the Boplex are also the longest home-winning streak for any team in the AHL so far this season. Charlotte has the chance to expand that streak this Monday with a showdown against the Cleveland Monsters, a team they’ve gone 5-2-1-0 against at home over the last five years.Reinforcements
With a few players dealing with injury, its good to see the Checkers receive some reinforcements from both sides of the affiliation. From the NHL level, the Checkers have gotten Rasmus Asplund and Will Lockwood back from the Panthers, while Dennis Cesana has been returned to the Checkers after some time spent with the ECHL’s Everblades. It’s the first injury bug that’s made its way thought Charlotte’s locker room, but fortunately the Panthers are getting healthy and the windfall benefits the Checkers. Lockwood has four points in three games for the Checkers this season, while Asplund has recorded six points in nine games.Say it Ain't True
Alex True is off to a slow start for the Charlotte Checkers so far this season. For a guy who has registered 30+ points in each of his last two seasons, getting off the block has proved to be a bit harder this year for the Danish forward. Through the first 12 games, True has registered four points, all assists, but I’m not getting overly worried if I’m being honest. We’ve seen time and time again that True has shown his value in many other ways. His size, his playmaking ability (that doesn’t always get on the scoresheet), his availability (60+ games played in each of the last two seasons), and he tends to be the kind of player that lights up as the season goes on. Where most players might start hot and then go cold during the winter months, True has been the opposite many times in his career. In fact, the veteran put up 32 points for the Firebirds last year during the regular season - that’s 72 games. In the postseason, however, he logged 19 points in just 26 games played. As the season wanes on, True gets stronger.Promos
Four games in six days, that’s what we have to look forward to, and there’s so many promos going on at Bojangles Coliseum and personally, I. Can’t. Wait. Let’s take a quick glance ahead to Thanksgiving week.- Monday 11/20 vs. Cleveland - Another showdown with an out-of-division opponent. Charlotte outscored Cleveland 15-9 last season and the most recent game at the Boplex between the two teams? A 9-0 Charlotte win.
- Wednesday 11/22 vs. Cleveland - Winning Wednesday with $1 beers, College Night with $18 best available attack and gold level tickets with a valid college email address, limited glass-seat tickets.
- Friday 11/23 vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Black Friday Family Pack Offer with half-price family packs, limited glass-seat tickets
- Saturday 11/25 vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Teddy Bear Toss, Mini-Flag Giveaway, Family Game and limited glass-seat tickets
