Weekly Report: December 14, 2015

The Checkers came through in the clutch with two big wins to sweep their way through the Lone Star state, dropping the San Antonio Rampage in the final seconds and defeating the Stars in overtime.

They will now buckle in for a busy four-game week ahead before heading into the holiday break.

Week in Review

Checkers 3, San Antonio 2

The Checkers visited the Rampage for the second time in under three weeks and again came away with the thrilling win. After building up a two-goal lead in the first period, the Checkers saw San Antonio come storming back in the third, knotting the game up with five minutes to go in regulation. But the Checkers wouldn't go away, and it was the captain Derek Ryan who hammered home the game-winner with less than eight seconds left on the clock to lift the visitors to the victory. Full recap

Checkers 5, Texas 4 (OT)

The Checkers wrapped up their trip through Texas two nights later when they visited the Stars and again came out of the gate strong. After giving up the first goal of the game, the Checkers rattled off three consecutive goals in the first period. But the Stars added another in the waning moments of the first and two more in the second to head into the final frame of regulation with a one-goal advantage. The Checkers continued to mount pressure and Brock McGinn finally put in the equalizer to send the game into overtime. Starting the extra frame on the power play, the Checkers quickly ended things, with McGinn netting his second of the night less than 90 seconds in to send the Checkers back home with consecutive victories. Full recap

Three Stars Of The Week

Notables

Brock Solid

Despite splitting his time between Charlotte and Raleigh, Brock McGinn has been lights out this season for the Checkers. The second-year pro has put up 12 points in as many games and ranks second on the team with nine goals, just one behind leader Derek Ryan. McGinn's scoring has come in bunches, as he has four multi-goal games this season.

McGinn's five-point outburst on the team's most recent two-game road trip earned the forward AHL Player of the Week honors. He is the fourth Checker to recieve the award and the first since John Muse won it twice in 2013-14.

Ryan Rolling In The Points

Derek Ryan has continued his consistently-high offensive output and has moved into a tie for 10th in the league in scoring with 22 points (10g, 12a) in 24 games. The captain has emerged as one of the Checkers' most dominant threats so far, both at even strength and on the power play, where his nine points lead the team.

Cardiac Checkers

With their win in San Antonio this week, the Checkers have scored the game-winning or game-tying goal in the final two minutes of regulation six times this season. Charlotte has come away with four wins this season in games where they trailed after two periods, the most in the league. Three of those instances came on the road.

Friday's win over Texas marked the first time this season that the Checkers have seen a game end in overtime, win or lose. They are 4-0 in shootouts this season.

Proving His Worth

Since signing an AHL contract on Dec. 4, David Wohlberg has three point in four games and is currently on a three-game point streak.

Special Teams Standing Out

The Checkers have gotten some exceptional play from their special teams units as of late. Charlotte has killed 34 of their last 37 penalties (90.1 percent), shutting down three teams (Texas, San Antonio, Ontario) in the top 12 overall in power-play percentage.

On the other side, the Checkers' power-play unit continues to be lethal, staying in the top 10 in the AHL with a 20% success rate on the man advantage.

Road Warriors

The Checkers' 9-5-0-0 record away from home this season is the franchise's best road start since 2012-13 when they started 10-2-0-2. Last season, Charlotte only won 12 road games all season, with their ninth one not coming until March 21.

Holding On

Though last week's games cut it close, the Checkers have still not lost a game in which they have held a lead at either intermission.

Ranks

• Derek Ryan is tied for 10th in the AHL in scoring (22)
• Zach Boychuk is tied for fourth in the AHL in shots on goal (80)
• Brock McGinn leads the AHL in shooting percentage (33.3%)

Injuries

• Brendan Woods missed three games starting 12/6
• T.J. Hensick missed 11 games from 11/13 to 12/9
• Rasmus Rissanen missed nine games from 11/14 to 12/6

Milestones

• Trevor Carrick played in his 100th pro/AHL game on 12/11

Transactions

Incoming

• December 14 - (G) Daniel Altshuller recalled by Charlotte (AHL)

Outgoing

• December 14 - (G) Rasmus Tirronen assigned to Florida (ECHL)

Coming Up

By the Numbers

Team Statistics
CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	20.0%	8th	7th
Penalty kill	84.1%	14th	15th
Goals per game	3.04	t-7th	t-14th
Shots per game	31.08	10th	9th
Goals allowed per game	3.21	24th	23rd
Shots allowed per game	28.42	11th	10th
Penalty minutes per game	14.88	19th	20th

Team Leaders
CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Derek Ryan (22), Trevor Carrick (16), Zach Boychuk (14)
Goals	Brock McGinn (10), Derek Ryan (9), Trevor Carrick (6)
Assists	Derek Ryan (13), Zach Boychuk (12), Trevor Carrick (10)
Power play goals	Derek Ryan, Trevor Carrick, Brock McGinn (3)
Shorthanded goals	Patrick Brown (1)
Game-winning goals	Brock McGinn, Derek Ryan (2)
Shots on goal	Zach Boychuk (80), Derek Ryan (63), Trevor Carrick (57)
Penalty minutes	Kyle Hagel (46), Mike Cornell (40), Danny Biega (30)
Plus/minus	Brendan Woods (+3), Carter Sandlak (+2), Three tied (0)
Wins	Drew MacIntyre (9)
Goals-against average	Drew MacIntyre (3.03)
Save percentage	Drew MacIntyre (.895)