Game Preview: Checkers vs. Manitoba (Jan. 16, 2016)

The Checkers welcome the Manitoba Moose to town for the first time since their home opener as they look to keep their winning ways alive.

Here are 9 things to know about the match-up between the Checkers and the Moose:

1. Reloaded

The already-surging Checkers received a big boost yesterday when the Hurricanes assigned Brock McGinn and Phil Di Giuseppe to Charlotte. This will mark the first time that the Checkers have had both young forwards in the lineup since Nov. 29 and they bring an added punch to the Charlotte offense. Di Giuseppe was off to a hot start to his sophomore season before heading to the NHL, coming out of the gate with 14 points in 20 games, while McGinn still ranks second on the team in goals and comes back to Charlotte averaging a point-per-game.

2. Comeback Kids

The Checkers comeback win over Grand Rapids on Wednesday marked the AHL-leading sixth time that the team has earned a win when entering the third period trailing. It also was the fourth time this season that they have erased a three-goal lead en route to victory.

3. Finish Strong

The Checkers' offense has been strong this season, but has really reached another level in third periods. Their 51 goals in the final frame is the second most of any team in the AHL this season.

4. Struggling Moose

Manitoba enters the weekend alongside Iowa in the cellar of the AHL standings. The Moose have especially struggled on the road, having posted a 3-11-0-1 record away from home. They find themselves in the bottom three of the league in both goals for and goals against and haven't recorded a win on the road since Dec. 1.

The one bright spot for Manitoba is that they enter tonight having won their last contest over a formidable Lake Erie team by a score of 4-0.

5. Tough Crowd

Having earned a point in 13 of their last 14 contests, the Checkers have built up an impressive record, but are caught in a frustratingly strong race in the Central Division. While they currently sit at fourth in the division, they are fifth in the Western Conference, as four of the top five teams in the conference hail from the Central Division.

6. Welcome To The Club

Forward Ethan Werek, who the Checkers signed to a professional tryout contract on Dec. 26, posted a franchise record 13 shots on goal and scored a goal to kickstart Charlotte's come-from-behind victory on Wednesday. The veteran of 242 career AHL games, who had 26 points in 25 games with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades before coming to Charlotte, now has five points in seven games as a Checker.

7. Shuggernaut

With the offensive burden having been spread out more this season as opposed to last, Justin Shugg is quietly turning in another impressive campaign. The forward currently sits third on the team in scoring with 20 points. Shugg, who is coming off a career year that saw him put up a personal-best 43 points, has put up six points in his last eight games.

8. Power Surge

The Checkers have been dominant on the man advantage this season, and have turned in a particularly impressive stretch over their last few games. The pair of strikes against Grand Rapids on Wednesday gave the Checkers a power-play goal in seven of their last eight contests and marked the fourth time in the last five games that they have notched multiple power-play goals.

9. Stay Warm

Don't forget to show up to the Coliseum early to get a free winter hat presented by Piedmont Natural Gas! Doors open at 4:30 and the first 2,000 fans will receive a hat.