Game Preview: Checkers vs Chicago (March 25, 2017)

The Checkers are back on home ice looking to extend their winning streak to a franchise-best seven games as they welcome the Chicago Wolves to town. Here are 12 things to watch heading into another crucial contest at Bojangles' Coliseum.

1. PLAYOFF PICTURE

By sweeping the Wild earlier this week, the Checkers moved their way into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. As it stands now, the Cleveland Monsters, who defeated Iowa last night, have 69 points and the Wild have 68 points, but the Checkers still technically remain in fourth place by virtue of points percentage, as they have 68 points while having played two fewer games than the other two squads.

2. HOME SWEET HOME

Wednesday’s 3-2 triumph over Iowa was the Checkers’ 22nd home win of the season, matching the most in franchise history with six more games to go. Those 22 home wins are tied for the second-most in the Western Conference and third-most in the AHL overall.

3. GOING STREAKING

The Checkers enter tonight’s matchup having won each of their last six games, matching their longest streak of the season. Charlotte also rattled off six straight wins from Oct. 28 – Nov. 11. Saturday gives the Checkers a shot to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins, as their two six-game runs this year match the six-game streak established in January 2013.

4. AND OUT COME THE WOLVES

Chicago has established itself as one of the premier teams in the Western Conference, spending most of the season battling atop the Central Division with Grand Rapids, and the Checkers have felt their wrath. After picking up a win in their first meeting this season, the Checkers have dropped three straight against the Wolves, with all of those contests being decided by at least two goals.

The Wolves have been spurred on this season by the play of Kenny Agostino, whose 75 points are the most in the AHL and 15 points more than the second-place skater. The forward enjoyed much success against the Checkers this season, racking up nine points in four games. In addition to Agostino’s firepower, Chicago also boasts the league’s leading goal scorer in Wade Megan.

5. CLUTCH CONNOR

Connor Brickley has been one of the hottest players on the Checkers’ roster as of late, and has made a habit of coming up big in clutch situations. The forward has exploded for 10 points in his last 11 games, while 14 of his 21 points this season have come in the months of February and March. Brickley set a new franchise best with game-winning goals in three consecutive games last week, and has kept that run going with four game winners in Charlotte’s last five games.

6. ROOKIE RECORDS IN SIGHT

Both of Charlotte’s two top scorers are on their way to setting new records for first-year pros. Andrew Poturalski, who has 30 points in his last 34 games and hasn’t gone more than two contests without registering a point since before Christmas, needs nine points over the last 13 games of the season to match Zac Dalpe’s franchise record of 57, set in the Checkers’ inaugural 2010-11 campaign.

Then there’s Lucas Wallmark, who needs just one more goal to establish himself as the franchise’s rookie goals record holder, passing Dalpe’s mark of 23.

Both skaters are near the top of the league’s rankings as well, with Poturalski tied for second among AHL rookies in scoring and Wallmark ranked second in goals.

7. BRICK WALL

Since joining the Checkers at the AHL trade deadline, Tom McCollum has been a strong presence in Charlotte’s crease. The veteran netminder has started each of the last five contests for the Checkers and earned the victory in each of them, improving his record this season to a perfect 6-0-0.

8. POWERING BACK UP

The Checkers’ power play has been one of their biggest weaknesses this season, trapped in the cellar of the AHL’s rankings for the majority of the year, but the unit has found a spark as of late. Charlotte has three power-play goals in its last 14 man advantages over the last four games, a 21.4 percent rate. The Checkers will have the chance tonight to register a power-play goal in three straight games for only the second time this season, with the other instance coming in late October.

9. OUT IN FRONT

As the season winds down to the final stretch, the Checkers continue to have their most success when jumping in front early. Charlotte is 24-4-3 when leading or tied after the first and 29-3-2 in those situations after two periods. Similarly, 21 of the Checkers’ 32 wins this season have come in games in which they scored the first goal.

10. KRISTO FINDS HIS STRIDE

Even after being sidelined by injury, Danny Kristo has found his offensive groove since joining the Checkers. The forward registered at least 40 points in each of his first three pro seasons, but had seen his numbers dip this year, marking two points in eight games with Chicago and 11 in 32 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before being dealt to Charlotte. With the Checkers, however, Kristo has again emerged as a scoring threat, picking up eight points in his first nine game with the club, including a goal on Wednesday in his return to game action.

11. PHONE DRIVE

Don’t forget to bring a phone or phone accessory to tonight’s game and donate to Verizon’s HopeLine program! Donate and you’ll receive a free ticket to our game on April 8!

12. TUNE IN!

If you can't make it to the game tonight, you can still tune in to hear Jason Shaya's call live from Bojangles' Coliseum via the Checkers app! The pregame show kicks off at 5:45.

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