FIVE STORYLINES
BEEN A LONG TIME
Each year the AHL takes a break in the schedule around Christmas, but Covid-related postponements have stretched that break even longer for Charlotte. It has been 19 days since the Checkers last played - a home contest against the Islanders on Dec. 19. Meanwhile, Bridgeport has played six games since that last meeting - most recently a home tilt against Providence on Wednesday.COMING IN HOT
The Checkers enter Saturday’s contest as one of the hottest teams in the Atlantic Division. After being swept at the hands of Utica to end the month of November, the Checkers are 6-2-0-0 and have not lost consecutive games. Charlotte has come up clutch in the majority of those wins, with five of the six victories coming by two or fewer goals - with the one outlier being a record-breaking 11-1 defeat of Rochester.Charlotte’s most recent loss came against the Islanders, who have gone 2-2-2-0 since their two games set against the Checkers in mid-December.
ROOKIE ON A ROLL
Cole Schwindt has found himself on an offensive tear as of late, a run that earned him AHL Rookie of the Month honors for December. Schwindt has made a mark on the scoresheet in eight of Charlotte’s last nine games, racking up 11 points over that stretch. The 20-year-old ranks fifth among AHL rookies in goals this season, and is tied with teammate Logan Hutsko for ninth in the league, while his +16 rating is tied for fourth overall in the AHL and second among forwards.DACCORD STANDS TALL
Even with his frequent shuttles between Charlotte and Seattle, Joey Daccord has been a lights-out presence between the pipes for the Checkers. The netminder is 2-1-1-0 in his last four appearances and has allowed a single goal in each of his last three outings, pushing his goals-against average down to a 2.07 clip that ranks fifth in the AHL.NEW LOOK
With a sizable chunk of their typical players unavailable for a variety of reasons, Charlotte’s lineups for the weekend will feature an influx of new faces. Of the 22 skaters currently on the Checkers’ roster, five are recent additions via PTO - Craig Martin, Nolan Kneen, Bobby Russell, Blake Sibenaler and Nick Albano are all set to make their Charlotte debut should they be used over the weekend.COMING IN
CLT: 4-1-0-0 in last five games this seasonBRI: 1-2-2-0 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Cole Schwindt - 11 points in last 9 gamesScott Wilson - 7 points in last 6 games
Grigori Denisenko – 7 points in last 7 games
BRI
Otto Koivula – 10 points in last 9 gamesCole Bardreau – 6 points in last 7 games
Chris Terry – 15 points in last 15 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's contest starts at 7 p.m. in Bridgeport, and as always you can listen to the game for free via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android. You can also watch via the league’s AHLTV service.And new for this season, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
