Here are seven things to know about tonight’s contest:
1. ON THE BRINK
Tonight will mark the second time in franchise history that the Checkers have been a winner-take-all playoff game. The other instance was the first round of the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, when they dropped the deciding Game 5 to Oklahoma City by a 6-2 score.Five different Checkers skaters have played in decisive Calder Cup Playoff games in their career – Philip Samuelsson, Andrew Miller, Kris Newbury, Connor Brickley and Patrick Dwyer – going a combined 5-4 in those situations.
On the other side, the Wolves’ last deciding game came in 2015, when they dropped Game 5 of their opening-round series to the Utica Comets 4-2. Dating back to 2006, Chicago is 4-2 in deciding games.
2. KING LUCAS
With his deflection goal in last night’s game, Lucas Wallmark now holds the playoff scoring lead among all AHL skaters, potting six points in four games. The rookie has lit the lamp three times, tying him for the franchise single-series record, while he sits two points behind the single-series points record, set by Zac Dalpe in 2011.3. MILLER'S TIME
Not to be outdone, Andrew Miller has kept his hot streak rolling into the postseason, currently sitting tied for second in the AHL with five points. Miller also has three goals, tying him for the league lead and franchise record with Wallmark.With a helper on Wallmark’s goal last night, Miller joins his linemate in recording a point in every playoff game thus far. The longest playoff point streak in franchise history belongs to Zach Boychuk, who notched a point in seven straight games.
4. SCORING DROUGHT
While Wallmark and Miller have been propelling the offense, the Checkers could certainly use some production from their lethal trio of Andrew Poturalski, Phil Di Giuseppe and Aleksi Saarela, who have no points between them through the first four games of the series.Poturalski, who led the team in scoring during the regular season, went through a bit of a dry spell toward the end of the campaign, going scoreless in a season-long six straight games before being recalled to the NHL. Once he was returned to Charlotte, the rookie wrapped up the year with four points in his last five games.
Di Giuseppe’s longest scoring drought was six games, coming in late December, but the forward was on a tear to end the season with Charlotte, tallying eight points in the last seven games. Then there’s Saarela, who had an unreal start to his North American career. The Finn recorded a point in each of his first five games, totaling 10 points in nine games with the Checkers before an injury forced him out of the final two games of the regular season.
5. BLUE LINE BOMBERS
Each of the last three games in this series have featured the Checkers cashing in on a point shot by a defenseman. Game 4 had a Trevor Carrick-blast that was redirected in, Game 3 had a Philip Samuelsson cannon as well as Roland McKeown’s clapper that set up the overtime winner, while Game 2 had Dennis Robertson’s seeing-eye rocket.Four different blue liners have recorded multiple points in the series for Charlotte.
On the other side, Chris Butler and Jordan Schmaltz have been game-changers for the Wolves. While the team’s high-end scorers have been hampered by injury, the defensive duo each have a total of four points in their last two games.
6. SPECIAL TEAMS STALEMATE
This series nearly went four complete games without either side notching a power-play goal, until Ty Rattie slapped one home late in Tuesday’s contest to further extend the Wolves’ eventual win.The Checkers have yet to break through on any of their seven man advantages this series, though they have only been afforded one attempt in two of their last three contests.
While the refs largely put away their whistles for the first two games of the series, each of the last two games have featured more calls for both sides as the physicality and frustration has started to boil over. In fact, a Wolves player has picked up a 10-minute misconduct in each of the last two games.
7. IS THERE A WAY TO WATCH TONIGHT'S GAME?
The Burger Company at 1500 W. Morehead St. will again be hosting the official Watch Party for Game 5, with the puck dropping at 8 p.m. Along with appearances from Chubby and the CheckMates and a chance to win a signed Trevor Carrick stick, fans can enjoy half-price wings and $2 domestic beer bottles.If you can’t make it to the Watch Party, you can either order the game on AHL Live or listen for free on the Checkers app.
