Game Preview: Checkers vs. Manitoba (Jan. 18, 2016)

The Checkers will try to send Manitoba home empty-handed as the two teams complete a back-to-back set at Bojangles’ Coliseum today at 5:30.

Here are 10 things to know about the match-up:

1. ADJUST YOUR PLANS

Today’s start time of 5:30 p.m. is one hour later than the originally scheduled time of 4:30. The change was made to allow fans to watch the entirety of the Carolina Panthers’ home playoff game while alleviating any potential travel concerns. Go Panthers!

2. STILL ROLLING

Although the Checkers’ franchise-record, 12-game point streak came to an end on Tuesday, the club has responded with two straight victories to improve to 12-1-2 in its last 15 games since Dec. 9.

3. TOUGH CROWD

Despite their torrid pace since Dec. 9, the Checkers have only climbed from sixth to fourth in the extremely tough Central Division during that time, as the Central is home to four of the league’s top eight teams in terms of winning percentage. Under the AHL’s new playoff qualification rules, however, the Checkers have a nice cushion over teams that could knock them out of a playoff spot. They have a .649 winning percentage compared to a .590 pace by Lake Erie (fifth Central) and a .515 by Bakersfield (fourth Pacific).

4. WELCOME TO THE CLUB

Forward Ethan Werek continued his impressive goal-scoring pace since joining the Checkers on a professional tryout contract on Dec. 26 with an overtime goal to defeat Manitoba on Saturday. The veteran of 243 career AHL games now has five goals in eight games as a Checker, including four during an active three-game streak that ties the longest posted by a Charlotte skater this season. In Wednesday’s win over Grand Rapids, the New York Rangers’ second-round draft choice in 2009 set a new franchise record with 13 shots on goal.

5. DEEP UP FRONT

Werek’s scoring has allowed him to retain a prominent spot in the lineup despite the return of Brock McGinn and Phil Di Giuseppe from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. With no forwards injured and no forwards currently on recall, the Checkers currently boast their deepest group of forwards this season, a claim only made more true by recent games that have seen the fourth (three goals on Tuesday) and third (two goals last night) take turns carrying the scoring load. The numbers game saw the team scratch three forwards – Erik Karlsson, Carter Sandlak and Sergey Tolchinsky – on Saturday.

6. FREE HOCKEY

The Checkers continued their dominance of the extra session on Saturday, improving to 7-2 in overtime games this season. Their .778 winning percentage in the extra session, which includes a 3-1 record in the five-minute, three-on-three period and a 4-1 record in the shootout, ranks third in the AHL.

7. ALL IN ON ALTSHULLER

Checkers goalie Daniel Altshuller made 27 saves on Saturday to improve to 8-1-1 in his AHL career. He also boasts a 1.78 goals-against average and .940 save percentage, numbers that would rank second and first in the AHL, respectively, if he had played enough minutes to qualify. He has now played 608 minutes this season, with the league’s qualifying threshold, a target that increases throughout the season, now sitting at 720.

Upon his recall to the Checkers on Dec. 14, Altshuller, who has started 10 of the team’s last 12 games, led the ECHL with a 1.58 GAA and .941 SV%.

8. BOYCHUK TO HIT 500

Checkers forward Zach Boychuk is expected to play his 500th professional game today. The Hurricanes’ first-round draft choice in 2008 will have played 127 of those games in the NHL and the other 373 in the AHL with Albany and Charlotte. Of current Checkers, only T.J. Hensick (607) has played more games as a pro.

9. STRUGGLING MOOSE

Manitoba enters today’s rematch with a .375 winning percentage that ranks 29th in the AHL.  They have not won on the road since Dec. 1, with their three road victories, one of which came in the Checkers’ home opener on Nov. 7, ranking last in the league.

10. ODDS AND ENDS

The Checkers are 12-3-2 in one-goal games this season … Saturday marked just the second time in nine games that the Checkers did not record a power-play goal, though they only received one opportunity … Defenseman Jake Chelios has assists in each of his last three games and has 10 points (3g, 7a) in his last 11. He is currently tied for 16th among AHL defensemen in scoring … Checkers captain Derek Ryan is currently on a season-long, three-game scoring drought. He still has at least 11 more points than any other Checker … Defenseman Danny Biega has missed five games due to injury, while goaltender Drew MacIntyre has missed seven.