Game Preview: Checkers vs Rockford (March 11, 2016)

The Checkers look to keep the momentum from their two-game sweep of Chicago alive as they welcome the first-place Rockford IceHogs to town for the first time this season.

Here are eight things to know about the matchup:

1. NEW GUYS COME UP BIG

There were a large number of fresh faces on the ice for the Checkers’ last two contests, and all of them contributed to two big wins.

Leading the way was Blair Jones, who followed up an assist in his first game with the Checkers with a two-goal performance Thursday night. Andrew Miller netted a power-play goal Tuesday while Dane Fox picked up an assist Thursday in his second AHL game and first with Charlotte.

On top of that, both Anthony Camara and Dennis Robertson, who joined the team a week before the others at the NHL trade deadline, found their way onto the scoresheet with assists in Thursday’s contest. That helper also marked the third consecutive game that Camara has notched a helper in.

2. MUSE FINDS HIS GROOVE

After being re-acquired from Texas at the AHL trade deadline, John Muse has appeared in each of the last four games, started the last three and won the last two. Although he didn’t see a ton of action either night, Muse turned in two solid performances between the pipes against Chicago, stopping 31 of the 34 shots he faced. Most impressive was a spectacular showing in overtime on Tuesday, turning aside several great chances by the Wolves and following it up by shutting down all three of their shutout attempts.

3. TURNING PRO

Former University of New Hampshire standout Andrew Poturalski, who chose the Carolina Hurricanes to sign with after his college season ended last week, has signed an ATO with Charlotte to spend the remainder of the season with the Checkers. The forward, who ranked second in the nation in scoring this year, is expected to make his pro debut tonight.

4. WELCOME BACK MAC

After spending nearly two seasons with the Checkers, netminder Drew MacIntyre was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks organization at the NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for Dennis Robertson. Tonight marks the first time that the veteran goalie will return to Charlotte as a member of Rockford. In his one appearance with the IceHogs since being traded, MacIntyre stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 2-1 win over Lake Erie.

The Checkers could see MacIntyre several more times before the regular season ends, as Rockford is on the schedule six more times.

5. STIFLING DEFENSE

The Checkers turned in shutdown performances in their last two contests, both wins over Chicago. After holding them to just 18 shots through regulation and overtime Tuesday night, the Checkers set a franchise record by only allowing 16 shots on goal in Thursday’s contest. They have now held their opponents to two or fewer goals in four of their last five contests and have fared much better in those types of games, going 21-2-0 this season in games where they allow two or fewer goals.

6. PLAYOFF PICTURE

Those two victories were a step in the right direction, but the Checkers remain on the outside of the playoffs looking in. With a points percentage of .542, Charlotte has a ways to go before catching the fourth-place team in the Central Division, the Lake Erie Monsters, who boast a percentage of .607.

The good news for the Checkers is that they remain very much in the hunt thanks to the AHL’s new crossover rule, which would put them into the postseason if they record a better winning percentage than the fourth-place team in the Pacific Division. That spot is currently occupied by the San Jose Barracuda, who sit at .565.

7. CARRICK COOKING

Trevor Carrick continues to shine on the Checkers blue line. With an assist in each of his last two contests, the second-year pro now has seven points in his last nine, putting him sixth amongst league defensemen in scoring and just three behind third place.

8. AGAINST THE ICEHOGS

The Checkers and IceHogs have only met twice this season, both in Illinois, and have each come away with a victory. Both were low scoring, with the Checkers skating away with a 2-1 shootout win in the first matchup before falling 3-1 in the rematch three months later.

Rookie Vinnie Hinostroza, who ranks second on the team in scoring, is the only IceHog to record more than one point in the season series, while Derek Ryan is the only player on Charlotte’s active roster to score a goal against Rockford, as Phil Di Giuseppe has the other. Daniel Altshuller was between the pipes for the Checkers’ loss, while Michael Leighton made the start both times the Checkers have faced Rockford.

Dating back to last season, five of the last six meetings between the two teams have been decided by two or fewer goals.