Game Preview: Checkers at Cleveland (March 30, 2017)

The Checkers are back in Cleveland for another huge contest against the Monsters with the chance to climb back into a playoff spot. Here are 8 things to watch heading into tonight's game.

1. PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

By picking up the overtime win on Tuesday, the Monsters moved into sole possession of the fourth and final Central Division playoff spot, but tonight’s rematch gives the Checkers another shot. A win of any kind tonight will put the Checkers back on top, while a loss of any kind will widen the gap between Charlotte and Cleveland.

2. SAARELA SHOWS UP

The Checkers got a potential weapon in Aleksi Saarela before Tuesday’s game, and in his North American debut the Finnish forward did not disappoint. The 20-year-old Saarela used a nifty redirection to pick up his first goal as a pro here and was used heavily throughout the game, including on the top power-play unit.

Saarela, who proved to be a goal scorer with a lethal shot in his home nation’s top league over the last few years, will continue to be counted on for Charlotte down the stretch.

3. SHORTY SUCCESS

In Tuesday’s overtime loss, Patrick Brown and Patrick Dwyer combined for the Checkers’ eighth shorthanded goal of the season, a total that is tied for eighth in the AHL overall. It marked the second shorthanded tally this season for Dwyer, who became the 12th player in franchise history to notch multiple shorthanded goals in a single season (the record belongs to Zac Dalpe, who scored three in 2012-13). It also brought both Dwyer and Brown to two shorthanded points this season, tying them with Derek Ryan and Brock McGinn for second on the team. Lucas Wallmark continues to lead the Checkers in that category, however, with two goals and an assist.

4. PK GETS KO'D

Charlotte’s penalty kill had a rough outing on Tuesday, and Cleveland took full advantage.

The Checkers handed the Monsters five man advantage throughout the game and the home squad converted on three of them, accounting for every goal in their 3-2 victory. That includes the overtime game-winner, which came after the Checkers took a penalty in overtime for the second time in three games. Prior to that game, the Checkers had not allowed multiple power-play goals in the same game since Feb. 28, but had surrendered a trio of power-play goals twice before in the season.

Prior to that outburst, Cleveland’s power play ranked 28th in the league, just two spots above Charlotte’s cellar-dwelling unit. The three-for-five performance has now pushed the Monsters up to a tie for 25th.

5. ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Despite dropping the game in overtime, the Checkers were able to salvage a point in the standings Tuesday, extending their best road streak of the season. They have points in five consecutive road games, which currently stands as the longest active such streak in the AHL. That hot run has helped the Checkers bounce back from what has been a rough season away from home. At 10-18-4, the Checkers’ .375 winning percentage on the road still stands as the third worst in the AHL, ahead of only Rockford and Binghamton.

6. FREE HOCKEY

Tuesday marked the 11th time this season that the Checkers have had a game decided in overtime. The loss dropped them to 6-5 in those instances and snapped their two game overtime winning streak.

The good news for Charlotte is that it has followed up each of its last five overtime games this season with a win.

7. MCCOLLUM TAKES THE CREASE

Since joining the Checkers at the AHL trade deadline, Tom McCollum has taken over complete control of the Charlotte crease. The veteran netminder has started eight consecutive games, the longest such streak by any Checkers goalie this season, and has picked up a point in the standings in seven of them.

8. TUNE IN!

Make sure to tune in to Jason Shaya's call of tonight's game live from Cleveland via the Checkers app or online. The pregame show kicks off at 6:45.

You can also use the Checkers App to receive score updates and to play the new Top Line game!