Weekly Report: April 7

The Checkers closed out the road portion of their regular-season in strong fashion, pushing through a perfect week to finish the trip 5-1-0-0.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Checkers 5, Americans 3

The Checkers used a hot start to stay in front of the Amerks in their midweek matchup. After Jack Studnicka opened the scoring 28 seconds in and Ludvig Jansson doubled that advantage with a power-play tally later in the first period, Rochester would continue to chip into Charlotte’s lead only to have the Checkers punch back. The home team’s final push came when it pulled within one goal with under four minutes to play, but the Checkers threw water on that rally attempt and an empty netter from Sandis Vilmanis sealed the deal.

Checkers 3, Marlies 2

Charlotte opened up its lone trip north of the border with a thrilling comeback victory over the Marlies. Down 2-1 and approaching the midway point of the final frame, Ben Steeves potted his team-leading 21st of the season to even the score. The Checkers continued to tilt the ice in their favor - outshooting Toronto 11-4 in the third - and the game winner would eventually come from the captain Trevor Carrick, who collected a nice feed from Gracyn Sawchyn in the slot and buried it with under five to play to clinch it for the visitors.

Checkers 5, Marlies 1

The Checkers’ road finale was a physical one that featured 140 total penalty minutes - 118 of which came as the second period buzzer sounded - but the visitors never backed down and controlled the contest from start to finish. Charlotte racked up goals throughout the contest to build a 5-0 lead in the final frame. The Marlies were able to record one goal late - the only blemish on a stellar 24-save outing for veteran Louis Domingue - but their fate was already sealed in the lopsided contest.

QUICK HITS

PLAYOFF PICTURE

The Checkers - who boast the third-best record in the Eastern Conference - have been locked into at least third place in the Atlantic Division, but they’re still alive in the chase for the second seed and a first-round bye. They trail the Penguins by five points - though Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has played one fewer game than the Checkers. The Penguins will visit Bridgeport on Thursday before hosting Cleveland on Saturday, while the Checkers welcome the Bears to town for games on Saturday and Sunday. Past this weekend, the Penguins close things out with home games against Hershey, Bridgeport and Rochester next Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, while the Checkers host the Phantoms for their final two contests on the last two days of the regular season.

ON A HEATER

The Checkers head into their final home stand having won each of their last five contests. That marks the third time they have recorded a winning streak this long, including one in March. In fact, since the start of March the Checkers are 12-3-1-0 - the best record in the Eastern Conference and the third-best mark in the AHL.

DOMINGUE DOMINATES

Louis Domingue has won each of his last three starts, turning in a trio of stellar performances between the pipes. He allowed four total goals over that stretch and posted a gaudy .953 save percentage in the victories over Lehigh Valley, Hartford and Toronto.

Cooper Black has been similarly solid as of late, giving up just seven total goals over his last four appearances.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The Captain comes up clutch with a late game winner against Toronto!

CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/dID3Zbx0DD

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) April 4, 2026

Transactions

Incoming

• 4/5 - Mikulas Hovorka - Assigned from Florida (NHL)

Outgoing

• 4/1 - Tobias Bjornfot - Recalled by Florida (NHL)

By the Numbers

CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK
Power play	13.9%	29th
Penalty kill	84.6%	5th
Goals per game	3.29	9th
Shots per game	29.89	t-6th
Goals allowed per game	2.69	7th
Shots allowed per game	25.46	2nd
Penalty minutes per game	11.77	25th

LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Ben Steeves (40), Jack Devine (37), Wilmer Skoog (34)
Goals	Ben Steeves (19), Wilmer Skoog (18), Jack Devine (17)
Assists	Mike Benning (23), Ben Steeves (21), Jack Devine (20)
Power play goals	Ben Steeves (7), Jack Devine (4), Robert Mastrosimone (3)
Shorthanded goals	Jack Studnicka (3), Brett Chorkse, Brian Pinho (2)
Game-winning goals	Nolan Foote, Ben Steeves, Brett Chorske (4)
Shots on goal	Ben Steeves (151), Nolan Foote (142), Brian Pinho (133)
Penalty minutes	Ben Steeves (94), Trevor Carrick (51), Jack Devine (45)
Plus/minus	Mikulas Hovorka (+21), Marek Alscher (+18), Jack Devine, Sandis Vilmanis (+13)
Wins	Cooper Black (24)
Goals-against average	Cooper Black (2.53)
Save percentage	Cooper Black(.903)