Game Preview: Checkers vs Chicago (Nov. 23, 2016)

After last night's buzzer-beating win, the Checkers are back in action against the Wolves as they look to remain perfect at home.

Here are 9 things to watch for in tonight's game.

1. HOME COOKING

The Checkers’ win last night improved their home record to a perfect 5-0-0 this season. They are currently the only AHL team to have earned the maximum number of available points at home so far this season, with Tucson (5-0-1) the only other team that has not suffered a regulation loss.

This is easily the best the Checkers have ever started a season on home ice, with the team only winning its first two games once in its previous six AHL seasons. Meanwhile, the Checkers are 3-6-1 on the road.

2. BACK ON TRACK

Last night’s win ended the Checkers’ season-long, four-game winless streak that was at the time tied with Springfield for the longest active streak in the league. Prior to that slide, the team had tied a franchise record by winning six in a row from Oct. 28-Nov. 11.

3. MAGIC NUMBER

Tuesday’s victory marked the first time the Checkers had scored three or more goals since Nov. 11 – the last game of their aforementioned winning streak. The team is now a perfect 7-0-0 when hitting the three-goal mark and 1-6-1 when it does not. The Checkers scored a total of four goals during their recent four-game slide.

4. PHIL-ING THE VOID

Forward Phil Di Giuseppe has made an impact since returning from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, scoring five points (2g, 3a) in five games, all of which have come during an active four-game streak. His presence has helped offset the loss of Derek Ryan, Brock McGinn and Matt Tennyson, who still rank first, fourth and sixth on the team in scoring, respectively, to the NHL.

5. SETTING THE TONE

Including last night’s contest, the Checkers have now scored the first goal of the game 11 of a possible 15 times. That puts them into a three-way tie with Toronto and Wilkes- Barre/Scranton for the most “first goals” by an AHL team this season. Charlotte is now 7-3-1 when scoring first and 1-3-1 when conceding the opening goal to its opponent. Charlotte’s 16 first-period goals are its most of any period, although it is also the only period in which the team has a negative differential (-2).

6. BRICKLEY ON THE BOARD

Connor Brickley’s opening goal last night was his first as a Checker. After recording an assist in each of his first two games with the team following a trade with the Florida Panthers organization involving Brody Sutter, the forward had endured a 12-game scoring drought prior to finding the back of the net on Tuesday. Brickley, who has played 23 career NHL games with the Panthers, now has 79 points (36g, 43a) in 141 career AHL contests.

7. ODDS AND ENDS

Tuesday marked the first time the Checkers have allowed multiple power-play goals this season (2) … Defenseman Ryan Murphy picked up an assist in his AHL season debut, giving him 66 points (10g, 56a) in 83 career AHL games … Haydn Fleury recorded his first goal of the season and first multi-point game of his pro career last night … Forward Lucas Wallmark had his third multi-point game of the season with two assists and now ranks fifth on the team in scoring with eight points (2g, 6a) in 15 games … Levko Koper and Erik Karlsson each recorded their first AHL points of the season last night. Koper’s came on his AHL debut … Though still looking for his first goal of the season, Trevor Carrick ranks fourth among AHL defensemen with 47 shots on goal … The Checkers’ 10.8 penalty minutes per game mark the second-lowest total in the league.

8. BEST NIGHT EVER

Tonight’s contest is a Winning Wednesday, meaning that if the Checkers win, everyone in attendance will receive a free ticket to our next Wednesday game. It is also College Night, where you can save on tickets by using a college email address here.

Additionally (and possibly more importantly), it’s $1 beer night!

9. TUNE IN

If you can't make it out to Bojangles' Coliseum tonight, you can still listen along! Tune in to hear Jason Shaya's call, with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45, and tweet at him to let him know you're listening!