Game Preview: Checkers vs. Lake Erie (Dec. 20, 2015)

The Checkers look to head into the holiday break on a high note as they host the second of a quick back-to-back with the Lake Erie Monsters this afternoon.

Here are nine things to know heading into the game:

1. TOSS THOSE TEDDYS

Today’s game marks the Checkers’ annual Teddy Bear Toss. Bring a new stuffed animal to throw on the ice after the team’s first goal and the players will then deliver them to Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital in January. If you’re not familiar with the promotion, here’s a recap of last season’s event.

The Checkers are likely to have a new Teddy Bear Toss hero, as forward Brendan Woods, who scored the trigger goal in each of the last two seasons, has missed the last six games due to injury.

2. GOING STREAKING

The Checkers’ current five-game point streak (4-0-1) is their longest since April of 2013. They have not enjoyed a six-game streak since rattling off a seven-game (6-0-1) run in January of 2013.

Dating back to a Nov. 20 loss at Texas, the Checkers have won eight of their last 12 outings. During that time, they have climbed from 10th in the Western Conference (.467 winning percentage) to seventh (.574).

3. RYAN ON A ROLL

Including the team’s first goal on Saturday, Checkers captain Derek Ryan has points in each of his last five games, which ties Phil Di Giuseppe’s run to start the season as the longest by a Checkers skater this season. Ryan has nine points during his streak, which has pulled him into a tie for fourth in AHL scoring and has given him at least seven more points than any other Charlotte player.

Ryan, the reigning Swedish Hockey League MVP who is playing his first professional season in North America, has 26 points (11g, 15a) in 27 games. He leads the Checkers in points, goals and assists at both even strength and on the power play.

4. DEFENSE GETS OFFENSIVE

Nine different defensemen have scored at least one goal for the Checkers this season. Led by Trevor Carrick’s seven goals that tie him for third among AHL defensemen, Charlotte blueliners have now combined for 24 goals, which is a league-leading 28.9 percent of the team’s total. Carrick and Keegan Lowe each chipped in with a tally in Saturday’s win.

Last season, eight different defensemen combined for just 19 goals, which was 11 percent of the team’s total.

5. ALL IN ON ALTSHULLER

Checkers goaltender Daniel Altshuller has started each of the Checkers’ last two games, the only AHL games of his career, and has earned victories in both. During that time, the 21-year-old, third-round draft pick by the Hurricanes in 2012 has stopped 60 of 63 shots to sport a 1.50 goals-against average and .952 save percentage. His recent run of starts marks just the second time this season that Drew MacIntyre has gone two consecutive games without an appearance when available.

At the time of his recall to Charlotte on Monday, Altshuller led the ECHL in goals-against average (1.58), save percentage (.941) and shutouts (three). His 19 saves in the third period of Saturday’s game marked the most by a Checkers goaltender in a single period this season.

6. MURPHY’S LAW

Checkers defenseman Ryan Murphy is eligible to return from a three-game suspension for clipping today. An AHL All Star last season, Murphy has six points in six AHL games this season and 47 points in 56 career AHL contests.

7. WELCOME BACK MJ

Though held off the score sheet on Saturday, Checkers defenseman Michal Jordan has three goals in three games since beginning his conditioning stint from the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

One of three players to play at least one game with the Checkers in all six of their AHL seasons, Jordan became the second to play 300 games as a Checker on Saturday and now ranks second on the team’s all-time list. Teammate Zach Boychuk leads the way with 308.

8. GOALS!

The Checkers have scored at least three goals in each of their last five games, which is their longest such streak since opening the season with three or more goals in each of their first six games to start the season.

9. RANDOM STATS

Lake Erie has scored two or fewer goals in six of their last eight games … Carrick recorded his 50th AHL/professional point with an assist on Saturday … Kyle Hagel played his 300th AHL game on Saturday … Danny Biega’s plus-3 rating on Saturday tied the highest by a Checker this season … Despite playing in just 15 of the team’s 27 games, reigning AHL Player of the Week Brock McGinn is now tied for third on the team with 14 points ... In addition to Woods, forward Carter Sandlak is also on the team's injured list after missing the last two games.