Game Preview: Checkers vs Springfield (Dec. 1, 2017)

The Checkers are back at Bojangles’ Coliseum this weekend for another home stand looking to get revenge on the Thunderbirds. Here are 9 things to know heading into tonight’s tilt.

1. SCOUTING THE THUNDERBIRDS

While Springfield struggled a bit out of the gates and remains lower in the Atlantic Division standings, the Thunderbirds come into Charlotte on a bit of a tear. Since starting 2-11-1 they have gone 7-2-0 since Nov. 11, including a lopsided sweep of the Checkers that saw Springfield outscore Charlotte 9-3 on home ice.

“Geordie [Kinnear] does a great job coaching, he’s got them playing hard, we know that for sure,” said Charlotte head coach Mike Vellucci. “They’re disciplined and they’re putting a good string of games together. We have to be ready for them. They’re a hard-working, fast-paced team. We’re going to have to fight for open ice.”

2. TIME OFF

After a hectic few weeks that saw them play seven times in 12 days, the Checkers enjoyed four full days with no games heading into tonight’s contest. This is the fourth time this season that the team has had a break of at least four days between games, with the Checkers posting a 2-1-0 record in the previous three games following those breaks. In the two victories, Charlotte out-scored the opposition by a combined 11-3 margin.

“It helps not just the players but the coaches too,” said Vellucci. “I was just telling the coaches I’m so caught up that I feel like I’m forgetting something. When you’re playing back to back and you have all those games and you’re travelling, you never feel like you’re caught up. It feels good today to just be caught up and feel like we had a good week of practice and good preparation for this weekend.”

The coaching staff has used this break in the schedule to adjust their play as a team.

“We just need to tighten up in some areas,” said Vellucci. “Our D zone coverage has been a little shaky as of late so we’ve worked on that. Also our neutral zone play and our forecheck.”

3. HOME SWEET HOME

The Checkers are currently in the midst of a stretch in which they play 12 of 14 games at home between Nov. 21 and Dec. 21. Though just 4-3-1 at Bojangles’ Coliseum this season, Charlotte is coming off a franchise-record-setting 2016-17 campaign that saw it post a 27-10-1 record at home. Only two AHL teams have played fewer home games than the Checkers’ eight.

4. HEALTHY RETURNS

Forwards Lucas Wallmark (missed the last nine games due to injury) and Valentin Zykov (missed the last three games due to illness) are both expected to be back in the lineup for tonight’s game. Wallmark, who was tied for fourth in the AHL in scoring with 15 points in 12 games at the time of his injury, and Zykov, who leads the team with 10 goals and is tied for second in the AHL with six power-play goals, are tied for second among all Checkers skaters in scoring behind Andrew Miller (16 points).

“They’re both ready for this weekend,” said Vellucci. “That’s a big part of our team, that puts two thirds of our top line back together. It gives us some more depth up front."

5. DIDIER EARNS A SPOT

While Charlotte has healed up front, the team is still without blue liner Jake Chelios, though he returned to practice in a yellow no-contact jersey this week and appears to be on the right track.

“He’s getting closer,” said Vellucci. “Probably not this weekend but give it another week of healing and getting in game shape. He looks good out there."

That hole in the lineup hasn’t been an issue, however, as Josiah Didier has stepped in as a serviceable defenseman, bringing a skill set that compliments Charlotte’s D corps.

“He’s a big, steady, stay-at-home defenseman that’s physical,” said Vellucci. “We don’t really have that on our D. We have a lot of puck movers. I like the stability he gives us back there with his physicality and he’s a great guy who gives you everything he has every shift.”

The third-year pro has logged eight games with the Checkers this season and has impressed enough to remain on the AHL roster, with Tyler Ganly heading to the Florida Everblades instead.

“He deserves the opportunity to stay,” said Vellucci of Didier. “The best thing to me about developing is giving the opportunities to guys who are actually earning it. Just because you have a contract or just because you’re this kind of a draft pick, you’re not going to automatically get the ice. You come in here, whether you’re on an AHL contract or whatever, if you compete and pay attention, you’re going to get the opportunity.”

6. CLOSE CALL

Prior to Sunday’s shootout loss, the Checkers were the only AHL team that had yet to play an overtime contest. That game marked the first time the Checkers have dropped a point in a one-goal game this season, with the team’s record in those contests now standing at 3-0-1. Only two AHL teams have played fewer one-goal games than the Checkers, who have seen 12 of their 21 games decided by three or more goals.

7. FIRST BLOOD

Sunday marked the first time in seven games that the Checkers scored the game’s first goal. It was also the first time that they dropped a point in games in which they score first, with the team’s record in those situations now standing at 5-0-1. Only one AHL team has fewer “first goals” than the Checkers’ six (Cleveland has five).

8. ROY HEATS UP

Nicolas Roy’s second shorthanded goal of the season on Sunday marked his fourth point (1g, 3a) in his last four games. Roy, a 20-year-old rookie who represented Canada at last season’s World Junior Championship, is the only Checker to have scored an even strength goal (one), a power-play goal (one) and a shorthanded goal (two) this season. Rookies have accounted for all five of Charlotte’s shorthanded tallies this season, with Warren Foegele grabbing the other three.

9. GET THE APP

The Checkers app got a fresh new set of paint during the offseason but functions just the same. Follow along with scoring updates as well as play the Top Line interactive game.

You will also be able to listen to the radio broadcast via the app or this link. Jason Shaya’s pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop, tune in and tweet Jason to let him know you’re listening.