Weekly Report: January 11, 2016

The Checkers' record-breaking streak continues to roll on as the wrapped up their California road trip by sweeping the San Diego Gulls this past weekend.

They will now return home after a the long trip, but won't have much time to rest, as they kick off a four-game week Tuesday against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Week in Review

Checkers 3, San Diego 1

Coming off a shutout off the Ontario Reign, the Checkers again stifled their opponent, holding the surging goals to just one goal. The visitors struck twice on the power play to build a two-goal lead before surrendering one themselves. The Gulls attempted to spark a rally, but Daniel Altshuller continued to shine, making 29 saves, and Patrick Brown put hte final nail in the coffin with an empty netter to seal the 3-1 victory for Charlotte. Full recap

Checkers 4, San Diego 2

The rematch with San Diego saw the Checkers trailing on the scoreboard for the first time in four contests. After Zach Boychuk opened the scoring quickly in the first, the Gulls struck twice to carry a one-goal lead into the middle frame. Justin Shugg knotted things up with a wrap-around goal late in the second then T.J. Hensick put the visitors on top with a one-timer snipe five minutes into the third. Altshuller again buckled down late, making a career-high 37 saves, and Brody Sutter iced things with an empty netter to lift Charlotte to a 4-2 win. Full recap

Checkers 4, Ontario 2

Continuing along on their inaugural trip to California, the Checkers traveled to face Ontario, who had decidedly defeated them twice in Charlotte early in December. The Checkers fared much better in the rematch, however, coming away with a wire-to-wire victory. Two markers late in the first pushed the Checkers on top and they never let go, holding on to extend their win streak to a franchise record nine games. Rasmus Tirronen made his first appearance in the crease since getting shelled by the Reign on Dec. 6 and was stellar, making 35 saves and earning the win. Full recap

Three Stars Of The Week

Notables

The Streak Rolls On

With Saturday's win over San Diego, the Checkers have earned at least one point in the standings in each of their last 12 games, giving them the second-longest streak in the AHL this season and the longest active one.

Road Warriors

Along with their overall streak, the Checkers have been racking up an impressive resume away from home. They have earned a point in each of their last nine road contests, breaking a franchise record set in the inaugural 2010-11 season, and their 14 road wins are the second-most in the AHL, trailing only the leaue-leading Toronto Marlies. By comparison, the Checkers won 12 road games all of last season.

California Love

The Checkers enjoyed their first trek out west to California. They went 5-0-1 over the six-game post-holiday break road trip, sweeping the Ontario Reign and San Diego Gulls along the way.

Finding The Back Of The Net

The Checkers' offense has been potent all season, consistently finding themselves ranked in the top 10 in the AHL, but it has really hit its stride during this hot streak. After totaling just two goals in their last two regulation losses in early December, the Checkers have scored three or more goals in 10 of their last 12 contests. All season they have been at their best when the offense is clicking, as 18 of the Checkers' 21 victories this season have come when the team scores three or more goals.

All In On Altshuller

After impressing during a pre-planned stint before Christmas, the Checkers have continued to go back to Daniel Altshuller, and the young netminder has continued to wow between the pipes. The second-year pro has yet to lose a game in regulation, going 7-0-1 with a goals-against average of 1.48 and a save percentage of .950. While his numbers are still drawing from a fairly small sample size, it's hard to argue that Altshuller has been phenomenal during this run. He has made several highlight reel saves to keep the Checkers' winning ways intact.

Altshuller's hot sreak is the best start to an AHL career by a Checkers netminder since John Muse won each of his first five starts en route to a 10-3-2 rookie season where he put up a 1.81 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.

Hensick's Return

After being sidelined for 11 games early in the season due to injury, offseason acquisition T.J. Hensick has caught fire and provided an extra jolt to the Checkers' offense. After going scoreless through his first three games back, the veteran has recorded a point in seven of the last eight games, totaling eight points (4g, 4a) along the way.

Shuggernaut

With the offensive burden having been spread out more this season as opposed to last, Justin Shugg is quietly turning in another impressive campaign. The forward currently sits third on the active roster in scoring with 19 points in 27 games, putting him on pace to surpass his career-high total from last season of 43 points.

Hagel Drops The Gloves

The Checkers' last two series came against the San Diego Gulls and the Ontario Reign, two of the biggest and most physical teams in the AHL, ranking first and third in the league in terms of penalty minutes per game, respectively. But Charlotte refused to be pushed around, as they matched the physicality of their opponents, spurred on by Kyle Hagel. Hagel has again established himself as one of the premier fighters in the league, currently tied for second in the AHL in major penalties, as well as becominga force on Charlotte's fourth line.

Tolchinsky Finding His Groove

After navigating through some bumps in the road and buying into the team's systems, Sergey Tolchinsky has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat for the Checkers as of late. After recording just nine points in his first 29 games this season, the rookie has exploded for eight points in his last five games. He also sits one shy of matching Derek Ryan and T.J. Hensick for the Checkers' longest point streak this season.

Ranks

• Derek Ryan ranks sixth in the AHL in scoring (32)
• Kyle Hagel is tied for second in the AHL in major penalties (9)
• Trevor Carrick is tied for ninth among AHL defensemen in scoring (21) and tied for fourth in goals (7)
• Mike Cornell leads all AHL defensemen in shooting percentage (17.6%) and ranks fifth in major penalties (5)

Injuries

• Danny Biega missed two games starting 1/8
• Drew MacIntyre missed four games starting 1/2
• Carter Sandlak missed nine games starting 12/17

Milestones

• Derek Ryan played his 250th pro game at SD on 1/9
• Patrick Brown played his 100th pro game at SD on 1/8

Transactions

Incoming

• None

Outgoing

• None

Coming Up

By the Numbers

Team Statistics
CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	20.4%	6th	6th
Penalty kill	83.8%	15th	17th
Goals per game	3.09	6th	t-6th
Shots per game	30.31	9th	9th
Goals allowed per game	2.91	16th	t-22nd
Shots allowed per game	28.72	11th	11th
Penalty minutes per game	14.69	15th	12th

Team Leaders
CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Derek Ryan (32), Trevor Carrick (21), Justin Shugg (19)
Goals	Derek Ryan (12), Trevor Carrick, Justin Shugg (7)
Assists	Derek Ryan (20), Trevor Carrick (14), Four tied (12)
Power play goals	Derek Ryan (4), Five tied (3)
Shorthanded goals	Patrick Brown, David Wohlberg (1)
Game-winning goals	Derek Ryan (3), Zach Boychuk (2)
Shots on goal	Zach Boychuk (99), Derek Ryan (75), Trevor Carrick (72)
Penalty minutes	Kyle Hagel (73), Mike Cornell (54), Danny Biega (40)
Plus/minus	Derek Ryan (+8), Danny Biega (+5), Brendan Woods (+4)
Wins	Drew MacIntyre (9)
Goals-against average	Daniel Altshuller (1.48)
Save percentage	Daniel Altshuller (.950)