Game Preview: Checkers at Rockford (Oct. 26, 2015)

After jetting out to a historically strong start, the Checkers have hit a bit of a skid, dropping three of their last four games, including a shutout at the hands of Chicago on Sunday. They have the chance to right the ship tonight as they visit the Rockford IceHogs to kick off the final leg of their month-long road trip.

Here are 10 things to know heading into tonight's game:

1. AGAINST ROCKFORD

The Checkers and IceHogs will meet tonight for the first time this season and the 25th time overall, with Charlotte holding a 13-9-0-2 mark. The two squads met four times last season, alternating victories. The Checkers have enjoyed success in Rockford over the years, taking an 8-3-0-1 edge over the IceHogs on the road.

Ryan Hartman paced the IceHogs with four points in four games against the Checkers last season, while Justin Shugg and Brendan Woods led the way with three points each in the series.

2. SURGING ICEHOGS

After slumping out of the gates with a 1-3 mark, the IceHogs have roared back, winning three straight to enter tonight's contest with an identical record to the Checkers. Rockford has seen its most success when it can keep its opponent in check offensively. The IceHogs were outscored 19-4 in their three losses this season, while their wins have all come from holding their opponent at three goals or fewer. On the offensive side of the puck, Rockford's attack ranks near the middle of the pack in terms of goals per game, though rookie Tanner Kero has shown a hot hand lately, earning the most recent AHL Player of the Week honor.

3. SLOWING DOWN

The Checkers' high-flying offensive attack has taken a downturn as of late. After totaling 21 goals in their first four games (3-1-0-0), the Checkers have been stiffled, only registering six in their last three contests (1-2-0-0). The drop in production can be partially attributed to the lack of scoring from the team's high-end talent. Zach Boychuk has yet to find the back of the net, while newcomers T.J. Hensick and Sergey Tolchinsky have not lit the lamp since the season opener. Phil Di Giuseppe's hot start has turned dry in the last two games and the losses of Brock McGinn (to the NHL) and Justin Shugg (to injury) haven't helped the matter. In the meantime, Derek Ryan has buoyed the attack with a team-leading four goals on the year and the secondary threats have stepped up, but if those weapons can kickstart their production, the Checkers could find their way back to their scorching attack from the start of the season.

4. BOWMAN RETURNS

Drayson Bowman, who joined the team on a professional tryout last week, made his season debut on Sunday, donning a Checkers sweater for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.

Bowman, who signed with the ECHL's Colorado Eagles this offseason after spending 2014-15 with the Montreal Canadiens organization, could end up softening the blow of Brock McGinn's recent recall to the Hurricanes – one that may not come to an end anytime soon due to his early success and injuries to Joakim Nordstrom and Andrej Nestrasil in Raleigh. Bowman was a proven scorer at the AHL level during his previous tenure with the Checkers, ranking seventh on the franchise's all-time goals list.

5. RYAN LOOKING COMFORTABLE

If there was initially any concern about whether reigning Swedish league MVP Derek Ryan would struggle to adjust to the North American game, he has put those to rest with his strong play early. Ryan leads the Checkers in goals, including Friday's winner with 1:38 left in regulation, and has six points in seven games. He appears to be the top-line center that the Checkers hoped he would be and have sorely missed in recent seasons.

6. MACINTYRE'S WORKLOAD

Just as he did last season, veteran netminder Drew MacIntyre has shouldered the bulk of the workload thus far for the Checkers. He has started six of the seven contests and entered the other game in relief, making him one of five AHL goalies to appear in all of their team's games this season. MacIntyre, who set Checkers single-season records last year for games and minutes played, currently ranks second in the AHL in minutes, just four seconds behind the leader.

7. SHUGG SIDELINED

Last year's scoring leader Justin Shugg, who picked up where he left off with three points in the first three games of this season, has now missed each of the last four contests with an upper-body concern and his status remains uncertain.

8. POWER SURGE

The Checkers, whose power play struggled to near-historical proportions in the first half of last season, have started strong this season. They have at least one power-play goal in six of their seven games and rank fourth in the AHL by converting at a 25.8 percent clip so far. Phil Di Giuseppe, Trevor Carrick, Jake Chelios and T.J. Hensick lead the team with three power-play points apiece.

9. CHELIOS MAKING WAVES

James Wisniewski's injury has forced the Hurricanes to rely on recalls to fill their roster, thereby opening up a spot on the Charlotte blue line. So far, newcomer Jake Chelios has made the most of the opportunity and his play has given him a solid grip on the spot. After serving as a healthy extra for the first two games of the season, Chelios has racked up six points in five games, pulling him even with Trevor Carrick for the lead among team defensemen.

10. CHASING HISTORY

Already the franchise goals leader, Zach Boychuk needs just one point to surpass Chris Terry and become the Checkers’ all-time points leader. He is also 13 shy of becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played, is 11 shy in assists and is one game-winner away from becoming the franchise leader in those categories. He became the team’s all-time leader in power-play points with his assist on Ryan’s goal Friday. Mark Morris now owns sole possession of ninth place all time. Morris now sits 11 shy of seventh place, with eighth-place Randy Cunneyworth (353) also active.