Game Preview: Checkers vs. Ontario (Dec. 6, 2015)

After dropping the first of back-to-back games to Ontario, the Checkers will look to salvage some points from their Throwback Weekend in today’s 5 p.m. rematch.

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

1. DEPLETED LINEUP

Down to 12 forwards after losing high scorers Phil Di Giuseppe and Brock McGinn to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, the suddenly-unlucky Checkers saw Brendan Woods suffer an injury in the first period of Saturday’s loss. Woods did not return, forcing the Checkers to find a forward from the ECHL ranks in time for today’s rematch. That forward is Ryan Rashid, who has been playing for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits this season. Rashid took part in the Checkers' training camp prior to the season.

2. MURPHY MAKES IMPACT

The Checkers have scored two goals in their last two games, both of which came from defenseman Ryan Murphy on the power play. Murphy now has four points (2g, 2a) in three AHL games this season and 45 points (5g, 40a) in 53 career AHL games dating back to the 2012-13 season.

In Charlotte’s last two games, Murphy has been on the ice for all six goals scored by both teams (two for, four against).

3. POTENT POWER PLAY

Though scoring at five-on-five has been an issue ever since the Checkers did it five times in their 7-4 romp over Iowa eight days ago, the power play has continued to come through. The Checkers have scored on the man advantage in each of their last three games, going 4-for-11 (36.4 percent) during that time.

For the season, they are now tied for fifth in the AHL with a success rate of 22 percent.

4. OLD SCHOOL

The Checkers will once again wear their throwback jerseys, modeled after the 1995-96 Riley Cup team, for today’s game at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The jerseys were auctioned off for charity after Saturday’s game.

After honoring members of that championship team on Saturday, the Checkers will unveil another banner honoring key “builders” including former owners Carl Scheer and Felix Sabates and former coach Pat Kelly today.

5. SHOOTING GALLERY

The Checkers set a few season highs for shots on goal on Saturday, though not in the way they would have hoped. Their 43 shots allowed for the game and 20 shots allowed in the second period were both the most this season, while their 19 shots taken for the game and three shots taken in the second period tied season lows.

6. BACK TO MAC?

Veteran Drew MacIntyre has started each of the Checkers’ last two games, marking the first time he has started consecutive games for the club since Oct. 31-Nov. 7. Those games ended a run in which he played in each of Charlotte’s first 11 games of the season, including seven straight starts. MacIntyre, who now ranks eighth in AHL history with 219 career victories, made a season-high 40 saves in Saturday’s loss. Last season, he had eight games with 40 or more saves.

MacIntyre currently ranks second in the AHL with 949 minutes played.

7. FAMILIAR FACES

Checkers coach Mark Morris is facing his former organization for the first time this weekend. Morris spent eight seasons behind the bench of the Los Angeles Kings’ affiliate when they were in Manchester and racked up the 10th-most wins in AHL history during his tenure. The Kings moved their affiliate from Manchester to Ontario as part of the league’s formation of the Pacific Division this past summer.

8. RYAN ON A ROLL

Checkers captain Derek Ryan picked up an assist on Saturday to ensure that he has not been held without a point in consecutive games this season. Now playing his first professional season in North America at age 28, Ryan, who won the Swedish Elite League’s MVP award last season, leads Charlotte with 17 points (8g, 9a) in 21 outings this season.

9. SHOOTOUT SUCCESS

After a win over Iowa exactly one week ago, the Checkers improved to 4-0 this season in shootouts and have now won eight straight shootouts dating back to last season. A big part of that success has been the play of MacIntyre, who is a perfect 8-for-8 this season and has stopped 29 of 31 since joining the Checkers last season.

10. RANDOM STUFF

The Checkers have not lost when leading at an intermission this season … Drayson Bowman is four shy of 150 AHL points … Mike Cornell is one shy of 50 pro points … Forward T.J. Hensick and defenseman Rasmus Rissanen are expected to again miss today's game with lower-body injuries ... Zach Boychuk is tied with Di Giuseppe four fourth in the AHL in shots on goal 71 ... Trevor Carrick is tied for second in the AHL in goals by a defenseman (six)