Weekly Report: Jan. 2, 2023

The Checkers ended 2022 on a high note, pulling off a sweep of Cleveland to run their winning streak to four games.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Checkers 3, Monsters 2

Checkers 3, Monsters 2

Three Stars Of The Week

QUICK HITS

GOING STREAKING

With their two-game sweep of the Monsters over the weekend, the Checkers have now won four straight games. That stands as their longest such streak of the season, and a mark they have hit on three separate occasions.

The run comes directly after a five-game losing streak that was the franchise’s longest since the 2016-17 season.

SLAMMING THE DOOR

The Checkers have locked up their opponents over this winning streak, surrendering just seven total goals over the four games and never allowing more than two in a single contest. Alex Lyon and Mack Guzda each have two starts and two wins during the run, with the latter making at least 28 saves in both of his starts.

DENISENKO DOES IT ALL

Fresh off an NHL stint, Grigori Deinsenko has bolstered the Charlotte offense in the absence of leading scorer Riley Nash. The Russian forward set a season high with three points against Cleveland on Friday - scoring twice (including a game-winning penalty shot conversion) and adding an assist - and then punched in the game-winner the following night as well. Denisenko now has five points in his last three games with Charlotte and 12 points over his last 12 contests.

KILLING IT

Prior to Cleveland’s conversion on a two-man advantage in the third period of Saturday’s game, the Checkers had rattled off 32 consecutive penalties killed. That streak covered parts of six contests and featured three instances of Charlotte killing at least six penalties in a single game.

That hot streak has catapulted the Checkers into seventh in the AHL’s PK rankings.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Grigori Denisenko capped off his three-point night and secured the win on Friday with this beauty of a penalty shot goal!

We're up 3-2 and he's got 3 points! pic.twitter.com/0brktCCCkg

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) December 30, 2022

RANKS

• Riley Nash is tied for third in the AHL in shorthanded goals (2)
• Riley Nash is tied for the league lead in shorthanded assists (2)
• Riley Nash is tied for the league lead in shorthanded points (4)
• Zac Dalpe is tied for sixth in the AHL in game-winning goals (3)
• Patrick Giles is tied for fourth among AHL rookies in shorthanded goals (1)
• Patrick Giles is tied for second among AHL rookies in shorthanded assists (1)
• Anthony Bitetto ranks eighth among AHL defensemen in penalty minutes (48)
• Anthony Bitetto is tied for second among AHL defensemen in shorthanded goals (1)
• Mack Guzda is tied for seventh among rookie goalies in goals-against average (2.72)
• Mack Guzda is tied for fifth among rookie goalies in save percentage (.910)

Transactions

Incoming

• 12/31 - Anton Levtchi - Assigned from Florida (NHL)
• 12/27 - Grigori Denisenko - Assigned from Florida (NHL)
• 12/27 - Givani Smith - Assigned from Florida (NHL)

Outgoing

• None

By the Numbers

CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK
Power play	19.0%	20th
Penalty kill	83.3%	7th
Goals per game	2.83	26th
Shots per game	32.30	4th
Goals allowed per game	3.07	t-13th
Shots allowed per game	29.00	7th
Penalty minutes per game	12.70	t-20th

LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Riley Nash (25), Chris Tierney (16), Zac Dalpe, Grigori Denisenko (15)
Goals	Zac Dalpe, Riley Nash (10), Anton Levtchi (7)
Assists	Riley Nash (15), Chris Tierney (13), Santtu Kinnunen (12)
Power play goals	Zac Dalpe (4), Anton Levtchi, Riley Nash, Connor Bunnaman (3)
Shorthanded goals	Riley Nash (2), Anthony Bitetto, Connor Bunnaman, Patrick Giles (1)
Game-winning goals	Zac Dalpe (3), Anton Levtchi, Riley Nash, Grigori Deinsenko (2)
Shots on goal	Michael Del Zotto (73), Connor Bunnaman (72), Riley Nash (67)
Penalty minutes	Givani Smith (49), Anthony Bitetto (48), Connor Bunnaman (38)
Plus/minus	Aleksi Heponiemi, Riley Nash (+8), Cam Morrison, Logan Hutsko (+1)
Wins	Alex Lyon (8)
Goals-against average	Alex Lyon (2.55)
Save percentage	Mack Guzda (.910)