Game Preview: Checkers vs. Grand Rapids (Oct. 17, 2014)

The Checkers are looking to string together another win in their home opener against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

After completing a three-in-three road trip to start the season, the Checkers return to Charlotte with two points in the standings thanks to an overtime victory over the Chicago Wolves five days ago. The Griffins also enter the contest with one win, having split their home-and-home series against the Lake Erie Monsters.

Tonight’s contest is the first of two this weekend between the two squads, the second of which comes tomorrow night.

Charlotte

The Checkers may not be totally happy with the result of their season-opening road trip, but with the win on Sunday, they now have something to build on going into tonight’s home opener. Now returning to their barn, coach Daniels knows the team will need to come out early and keep the momentum going in front of the home crowd.

“Obivously we want to get off to a good start at home and make this building a tough place to play,” said Daniels. “I think it’s about bringing the energy right off the bat. There’s usually a lot of excitement for the home opener, so I think we can use that to our advantage.”

The team struggled offensively in their first weekend, including setting a franchise-low in shots on goal Saturday, and will be counting on their younger players to contribute, especially with Zach Boychuk and Brody Sutter on the NHL squad. Through the first three games, newcomers Alex Aleardi and Phil Di Giuseppe have chipped in a goal each, and rookie defenseman Dennis Robertson sits among the scoring leaders despite only appearing in one game. If the Checkers’ offensive troubles are to be fixed, these players will need to keep that going.

In net, both Drew MacIntyre and John Muse had strong outings to begin the season. In his one appearance, Muse turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced, but was saddled with the loss. MacIntyre, after surrendering three goals in his first game, stonewalled the Chicago Wolves, stopping 42 shots and leading the team to a win.

Daniels has liked what he has seen out of the two goalies, and has said he will continue to use the pair as a tandem in the crease.

“They’re making the saves they’re supposed to make, they made some big saves when there were some breakdowns for us,” said Daniels. “I thought they both did a great job, they both gave us a chance to win, and that’s what we need right now.”

As far as injuries are concerned, Justin Shugg missed practice this week and Daniels said he would be out “for a little bit.” Robertson, who missed the last two contests with an injury, is expected to play, as Daniels said he was “good to go.”

Grand Rapids

The Griffins began their campaign with a home-and-home series against the Lake Erie Monsters, which they split. The team is coming into Time Warner Cable Arena riding a 3-2 win on the road in Cleveland.

Grand Rapids has already seen production this season from two of their biggest offensive threats, Teemu Pulkkinen and Mitch Callahan. The two leading scorers from a season ago each have a pair of points thus far and will no doubt be counted on to lead the team offensively. Joining them is newly assigned forward Andy Miele, who signed with the Red Wings in the offseason.

Miele, who signed a one-year deal with Detroit this offseason, finished third in the AHL in scoring last season with Portland, earning himself a spot on the AHL’s Second All-Star Team. The Michigan native racked up 71 points (24g, 47a) in 39 games during his senior season at Miami University to earn the Hobey Baker award as the nation's top college player.

When it comes to stopping the Griffins' attack, coach Daniels has a game plan.

“We have to take away time and space,” said Daniels. “They’ve always been a very skilled team and a very good puck-possession team. They’ll get chances, we just need to eliminate those second and third opportunities.”

In the crease, the Griffins employ two talented netminders in Petr Mrazek and Tom McCollum. Both have seen action this season, with McCollum stopping 17 shots and getting a win and Mrazek making 21 saves but taking a loss.

Checkers Notes

Against the Griffins

After splitting last season's series with a 2-2-0 record, the Checkers hold an 8-4-0 mark against Grand Rapids all-time. Charlotte is 4-2-0 against the Griffins in Time Warner Cable Arena. The Checkers won the first six meetings between the two clubs, but have dropped four of the most recent six matchups. Of the 12 previous meetings, only three have been decided by more than two goals.

Home Sweet Home

The Checkers are playing their first game this season at Time Warner Cable Arena and are looking to improve on their 2-2-0 all-time record in home openers. The Griffins will be playing their second road game of the campaign after downing the Lake Erie Monsters on Oct. 11.

Thus Far

With the win Sunday in Chicago, the Checkers avoided what would have been the first 0-3-0 start in team history. But their current 1-2 mark is the first time that the team has failed to earn at least three points in the first three games since the 2010-11 season, where they would go on to begin the season 1-5-0.

Charlotte has scored six goals through the first three games, the lowest total in franchise history, and holds a goal differential of -3, the lowest since the inaugural year. The 58 shots on goal they registered during the weekend is the lowest amount through the first three games in the Checkers' five-year history, including a franchise-low 15 shots on Saturday. Charlotte mustered just one shot in the first period on Friday, tying the lowest single-period total in team history, a mark set once previously on March 4, 2013, vs. Oklahoma City (second period).

New Captains

Defenseman Michal Jordan will take the ice as team captain for the first time on home ice tonight. Jordan, who ranks second in team history with 268 games played as a Checker, takes over for Brett Sutter, who signed with the Minnesota Wild after holding the role from 2011-14. Ben Holmstrom and Greg Nemisz are serving as new alternate captains, taking over for Nicolas Blanchard (St. John's) and Chris Terry (Carolina).

Quick Hits

• Goalie Drew MacIntyre leads the AHL in saves with 63
• Rookie Dennis Robertson is tied for fourth among AHL defensemen in scoring (0g, 2a), is tied for fourth in AHL rookie scoring and tied for the scoring lead among AHL rookie defensemen.
• Forward Kyle Hagel ranks third in the league in penalty minutes (24).

Player Streaks

• Ben Holmstrom has points in each of his last two games (Oct. 11-12: 1g, 1a)
• Brendan Woods has assists and points in each of his last two games (Oct. 11-12: 0g, 2a)

Milestones

• Mike Aviani set for professional debut
• Justin Shugg is one shy of 150 AHL games played
• Ben Holmstrom is seven shy of 500 AHL penalty minutes
• Alex Aleardi made his Checkers debut at CHI (10/11)

Injuries

• Justin Shugg - doubt for for this weekend's games

Transactions

Incoming

• Oct. 16 - (C) Mike Aviani signed to professional tryout contract from Florida (ECHL)

Outgoing

• Oct. 15 - (C) Brody Sutter recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte
• Oct. 14 - (D) Austin Levi assigned to Florida (ECHL) from Charlotte
• Oct. 12 - (LW) Zach Boychuk recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte