Weekly Report: Oct. 27, 2014

With a win on Friday, the Checkers looked as though they were starting to right the ship after a rough start, but the team couldn't keep that momentum going, dropping Saturday's game to leave them at 2-5-0.

The Checkers split their weekend series with the Iowa Wild, who find themselves last in the league standings and up until Saturday night were the sole team in the AHL without a single point. Charlotte's struggling offense came alive in the first game, which saw them net a season high five goals, but they did not find the same success in the rematch, despite outshooting their opponent for the first time this season.

The team will now look to regroup in practice this week as they prepare for the Hamilton Bulldogs this weekend. The teams will square off twice, the first on Halloween at noon and the rematch Sunday at 1 pm.

Week in Review

Checkers 5, Iowa 1

The Checkers earned their first win in regulation this season with a 5-1 beating of the Wild. The five goals scored came off the sticks of five different players,including three in the first period, which matched the Checkers game-high up until that point. Phil Di Giuseppe, Greg Nemisz, Chad LaRose and Michal Jordan all notched multi-point games, the first instances since Dennis Robertson had two assists in the first game of the season. Drew MacIntyre clinched his second win of the year with another superb performance, turning aside 26 of the 27 shots that he faced. Full recap

Iowa 4, Checkers 1

The Checkers were unable to keep their winning momentum going from the night before, as the Wild avenged their loss with a drubbing of their own. Iowa turned the tables, scoring three goals in the first period after having given up that in the first game of the series. Jordan Schroeder struck twice for the home team, giving him three goals in the two games, while Greg Nemisz was the lone goal-scorer for Charlotte, finding the back of the net for the second consecutive game. John Muse was between the pipes, earning his second loss in as many starts, stopping 25 of 28 shots. The win gave the Wild their first points in the standings this season, but they still find themselves in the AHL cellar. Full recap

Notables

Close Call

After starting the season losing four of the first five games, the Checkers narrowly avoided the worst start in franchise history, set in the inaugural 2010-11 season, with their win over Iowa on Friday. The 2010-11 team, which went on to set franchise records for highest point total (97) and deepest run into the playoffs (Eastern Conference Final), didn't find its second win until the seventh game of that season, whereas this year it came in the sixth.

Getting Better

The Checkers set several franchise-lows in terms of offensive production throught the first five games, but turned that around for at least one game this weekend, putting five on the board against Iowa on Friday. They weren't able to continue that firepower, however, as they followed it up with a one-goal performance the next night, but the overal offensive production of the weekend pulled them out of the cellar in terms of goals per game, slightly, as they now sit tied at 27th.

The struggles continue in their shots on goal numbers, however, as the team ranks last in that category with 22.71 per game. But the Checkers did outshoot their opponent for the first time this season in Saturday's loss at Iowa.

Coming Home

The Checkers return to Time Warner Cable Arena this weekend in search of their first win at home this season. The team is looking to avoid a start like last season, when they went 0-6-0 before finding the win column at home. The team will face the Hamilton Bulldogs for the first time in franchise history.

Depth Contributions

With his four assists thus far, Brendan Woods has already surpassed his total from 42 games last season and is halfway to his previous point total. He leads the team in assists, is tied for the lead in points (4) and ranks second in penalty minutes (30).

Jared Staal, who holds a share of the goal-scoring lead with two, has already matched his total from 50 games last season and is halfway to his career high of four set in the 2012-13 campaign. He currently has more goals than all of his brothers (NHLers Eric, Jordan and Marc) combined. Newcomer Greg Nemisz, currently riding a two-game goal streak, and rookie Phil Di Giuseppe also hold a share of both the goal and point lead (2g, 2a).

In The Crease

Drew MacIntyre has started five of the first seven games, the first instance in Checkers history, going 2-3-0. MacIntyre, a 12th-year pro who appeared in 48 games for the Toronto Marlies last season, currently ranks fourth in the AHL with 162 saves.

Ranks

• Goalie Drew MacIntyre ranks fourth in the AHL in saves with 162.
• Forward Kyle Hagel is tied for the league lead in major penalties (4)
• Forward Phil Di Giuseppe ranks fourth among rookies in shots on goal (20)

Injuries

• Justin Shugg - missed four games starting 10/17
• Keegan Lowe - missed one game starting 10/25

Milestones

• Brock McGinn and Carter Sandlak scored their first professional goals at Iowa (10/24). Sandlak's was also his first pro point
• Mike Aviani made his professional debut at Iowa (10/24)
• Chad LaRose scored his 300th professional point at Iowa (10/24)
• Brendan Woods played in his 50th AHL game at Iowa (10/24)

Transactions

Incoming

• Oct. 24 - (C) A.J. Jenks signed to a professional tryout contract from Toledo (ECHL)

Outgoing

• Oct. 22 - (C) Brody Sutter recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte (AHL)

Coming Up

By the Numbers

Team Statistics
CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK	LAST WEEK
Power play	10.0%	23rd	23rd
Penalty kill	83.8%	17th	20th
Goals per game	2.00	t-27th	30th
Shots per game	22.71	30th	30th
Goals allowed per game	2.86	t-13th	t-19th
Shots allowed per game	33.43	27th	28th
Penalty minutes per game	24.00	8th	10th

Team Leaders
CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Phil Di Giuseppe. Greg Nemisz, Brendan Woods (4)
Goals	Jared Staal, Phil Di Giuseppe, Greg Nemisz (2)
Assists	Brendan Woods (4), seven tied (2)
Power play goals	Alex Aleardi, Phil Di Giuseppe, Chad LaRose (1)
Shorthanded goals	none
Game-winning goals	Ben Holmstrom, Carter Sandlak (1)
Shots on goal	Phil Di Diuseppe (20), Trevor Carrick (13), Chad LaRose (12)
Penalty minutes	Kyle Hagel (34), Brendan Woods (30), Chad LaRose (20)
Plus/minus	Phil Di Giuseppe (+4), Greg Nemisz, Brendan Woods, Trevor Carrick (+2)
Wins	Drew MacIntyre (2)
Goals-against average	John Muse (2.55)
Save percentage	Drew MacIntyre (.926)