The first six home games of the 2023 calendar year have come and gone at Bojangles Coliseum, and boy were there some GREAT story lines. Let’s dive into this past weekend at the Boplex as the Checkers managed to split their final series of the season with the Monsters. Here’s some of my thoughts as the guys head out on the road for their next five games.
11 Goals
The Checkers’ offense was certainly clicking against a struggling Cleveland Monsters team, especially on Saturday afternoon where they racked up a season-high nine goals in their 9-0 win. Even though they fell on Sunday 5-2, it’s still proof that this team is finding chemistry and starting to develop a playoff mentality. The eleven goals in two games were the most in a two-game stretch this season for Charlotte.Good Knight
On a rehabilitation stint, Spencer Knight went 1-1-0 in his two games in goal for the Checkers this weekend. He earned the teams’ first shutout of the year on Saturday, and even with the loss the next night, it’s incredible to see his progression from last season. The Checkers saw Knight play 11 games in the AHL in 2021-22, with seven of those games coming as wins, and two of those wins coming by shutout. His poise, calm nature, and intentional play was something to marvel. Plus, he was constantly in control of the puck. Whether he was punching it off his blocker into an empty patch of ice or faking out a forechecker and slinging it up ice off his twig. There were moments that I’m sure he’d like back - the first goal in the game on Sunday, for instance - but he was clearly ready for the lights of the big show and earned his call-up back to Florida.Monster Minutes
After the Checkers’ 9-0 shakedown of the Monsters on Saturday, it was chippy, to say the least, on Sunday. Three separate fights, three 10-minute misconducts, 96 total penalty minutes, and 27 infractions were logged on the scoresheet. Out of all of that, each team had six power-play chances and neither team managed to score a power-play goal. Go figure. It was the most penalty minutes in a single game for Charlotte this season (53) and their most combined penalty minutes with an opponent.Settling The Defense
With the recent reassignment of Zach Uens to ECHL Florida, it seems that the Checkers’ coaching staff will ride with their current septuple of defenseman. It’s a dynamic group with plenty of grit and plenty of playmakers. Specifically, this d-unit has really begun to shine in the offensive game - with Lucas Carlsson and Anthony Bitetto both on point streaks heading into this road trip. Then you have Santtu Kinnunen who has two goals in his last four games, Dennis Cesana with two assists in his last two games and Matt Kiersted with two points in his last three.Men On the Mend
Despite the ferocity of the Monsters game on Sunday, the Checkers came out relatively unscathed and in large part are getting healthy at just the right time. Logan Hutsko rejoined the team for the previous series after missing 10 games with an ailment, and Justin Sourdif is practicing with the team and due back in the very near future. That’s great news as this team gears up for a dogfight down the stretch in the Atlantic Division. The key now, keeping everyone healthy.Bunnaman's Apples
In the Checkers game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Jan. 15, for a brief fleeting moment Connor Bunnaman had his first assist of the game. I even mentioned it on the broadcast as his first of the year. As it would later turn out, the assist appropriation was a mixup as it was really Aleksi Heponiemi (who wears 20) and not Bunnaman (number 26). Well, Connor must have heard me because he logged three assists in his next two games against the Monsters. He even added a goal to boot. I’m not bringing this up for any reason other than it entertains me because supposedly it happened, but then it didn’t happen, but then it REALLY happened.Levtchi, Mayhew Boom
In last week’s ITT, I mentioned Anton Levtchi and his tough sledding as of late. It was great to see him rebound this past weekend. His eighth goal of the season was the Checkers first in their nine-goal outburst, and should be just the confidence the first-year AHLer needs to keep moving forward. What’s more, Levtchi was joined by Gerry Mayhew as another slump-buster. Mayhew is currently on a two-game goal streak after netting two on Saturday and one on Sunday, and has four goals in his last four games played. This is the first explosion of offensive production that the Checkers have gotten from the former AHL MVP and it couldn’t come at a better time.Up Next
The Checkers head out on the road with their next five games coming against North Division teams in the Empire State. Up first, the second place Utica Comets with whom the Checkers have a split record, 1-0-1-0. After that midweek matchup, the Checkers take on Rochester for a pair on Friday and Saturday, before staring down Syracuse the following weekend. This is a long road trip for the guys, and they’re very important games, as they’re not going against divisional rivals. Coming out on the plus side in the win/loss category will be paramount for Charlotte if they want to stay in the top half of the Atlantic. At the time of this writing, the Checkers have more standings points than Rochester (41) and Syracuse (42), and only have two fewer points than Utica (46). So these three teams are very similar to the Checkers as far as production this year, and won’t be easy. With how the Atlantic is shaking out, only three points separates the Checkers in third and Bridgeport in eighth. It’s TIGHT!Looking forward to seeing y’all back at the Boplex on Feb. 10 when the Checkers host the Toronto Marlies. Until then, we’ve got a few more In the Trapezoid’s coming out where I’ll touch base on how the team is doing on the road and sharing my thoughts! In the meantime, go Checkers!
