Game Preview: Checkers at Chicago (Oct. 25, 2015)

The Checkers hope that the momentum of a dramatic late winner in Grand Rapids that halted a two-game losing streak two days ago will carry them into this evening’s game in Chicago.

This game marks the beginning of the final week of the Checkers’ grueling month-long road swing to start the season as preparations near completion at Bojangles’ Coliseum back home. The Checkers will play every other day between now and Halloween to complete the 10-game stretch.

Here are some 10 things to know heading into today’s game:

1. MEASURE OF REVENGE

The Checkers, now 4-2-0, suffered their first and worst loss of the season, a 9-5 affair, that came eight days ago against this exact same opponent in this exact same location. The Wolves (2-1-1) jumped out to an early 2-1 lead against Charotte’ starter Rasmus Tirronen, who then gave way to Drew MacIntyre who then gave way to Tirronen once again. The nine goals allowed by Charlotte tied a franchise record and remain the most given up by any team in any AHL game thus far this season.

The Checkers have an all-time record of 7-12-2 against the Wolves, including a 4-5-2 record in Chicago. The Wolves have won three consecutive meetings.

2. GOALS AND MORE GOALS

Largely because of that game which took place in a still-young season, today’s contest pits the AHL’s top two offensive teams against one another. Chicago ranks first by averaging an even five goals per game, while the Checkers are close behind at 4.5 per outing. Both teams have scored at least three goals in every contest this season.

Chicago, which lost 4-3 to Rockford in a shootout on Friday, its only game since last facing the Checkers, had five players record three points against the Checkers last week, including Ty Rattie, who has since joined the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.

3. ANOTHER START FOR MACINTYRE?

After looking impressive in relief of MacIntyre as the Checkers came back to defeat Iowa in a shootout on opening weekend, Tirronen’s only action of the season was the first 7:26 of last week’s game against the Wolves. He’s due for a chance to redeem himself, but that may or may not come in the site of last week’s abbreviated outing.

Meanwhile, MacIntyre looked sharp in Friday’s win over Grand Rapids, only getting beat once on a shot from the point that appeared to take a deflection on its way in. The Checkers’ workhorse has picked up where he left off from last season, as he is tied for first in the AHL in games played (he has appeared in each of the Checkers’ six contests) and ranks fifth with 302 minutes between the pipes.

4. BOWMAN’S BACK

Former Checker Drayson Bowman sat out Friday’s game as a healthy extra after joining the team on a professional tryout contract earlier in the day. With a few days to settle in after beginning the season with the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles, it’s entirely possible that the former Hurricanes prospect makes his season debut today.

Bowman, a 26-year-old who was a proven goal scorer in the AHL before graduating to Carolina midway through the 2012-13 season, could end up softening the blow of Brock McGinn’s recent recall to the Hurricanes – one that may not come to an end anytime soon due to his early success and injuries to Joakim Nordstrom and Andrej Nestrasil in Raleigh. If not for former Checker Riley Nash’s return from injury in San Jose last night (he had one of the Hurricanes’ two goals), another recall from Charlotte would have been necessary.

5. RYAN LOOKING COMFORTABLE

The only way that the reigning Swedish league MVP could struggle to score in the AHL would be initial difficulty in adjusting to the smaller ice surface. After all, 28-year-old Derek Ryan had never played a professional game in North America.

It would appear that the adjustment period was fast or may not have taken place at all. Ryan leads the Checkers and is tied for fifth in the AHL with four goals, including Friday’s winner with 1:38 left in regulation, and has six points in six games. He appears to be the top-line center that the Checkers hoped he would be and have sorely missed in recent seasons.

6. SHUGG AND SCRATCHES

Last year’s scoring leader Justin Shugg, who picked up where he left off with three points in three games, has now missed three games with an upper-body concern and is considered day-to-day with a chance to return tonight. If he and/or Bowman were to enter the lineup, Erik Karlsson and Carter Sandlak, who sat out the Checkers’ first games when Shugg and McGinn were still available, may be the first to come out.

On the back end, the Checkers still have one extra defenseman despite the absence of Brett Pesce, who made his NHL debut on Saturday. Tyler Ganly has sat out five games since making his pro debut in the Checkers’ first of the season. Jake Chelios, a healthy extra for the first two games, has since rattled off an impressive scoring run of six points (1g, 5a) in four outings, including at least one in each game. Chelios and Trevor Carrick are tied for second among AHL defensemen in scoring.

7. STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Of the Checkers’ 26 goals this season, only two have come in the second period, where they carry a goal differential of minus-4. Meanwhile, their 16 third-period goals are the most by any AHL team in any period. They carry a plus-8 differential in the final frame.

8. POWER SURGE

The Checkers, whose power play struggled to near-historical proportions in the first half of last season, have started strong this season. Including Ryan’s winner on the man advantage on Friday, they have at least one power play goal in all six games and rank third in the AHL by converting at a 29.6 percent clip so far. Phil Di Giuseppe, Trevor Carrick, Jake Chelios and T.J. Hensick lead the team with three power-play points apiece.

9. CHASING HISTORY

Already the franchise goals leader, Zach Boychuk needs just one point to surpass Chris Terry and become the Checkers’ all-time points leader. He is also 14 shy of becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played, is 11 shy in assists and is one game-winner away from becoming the franchise leader in those categories. He became the team’s all-time leader in power-play points with his assist on Ryan’s goal Friday.

Mark Morris earned his 342nd AHL win on Friday and now owns sole possession of ninth place all time. Morris now sits 11 shy of seventh place, with eighth-place Randy Cunneyworth (352) also active.

10. RANDOM STATS

Boychuk is tied for the AHL lead with 26 shots on goal … Jaccob Slavin is tied for first among AHL rookies with five assists and is tied for second among rookies in plus-minus (+6) … The Checkers have scored first in five of six games this season.