Game Preview: Checkers at Cleveland (Dec. 20, 2016)

The Checkers are looking to shake off this past weekend as they travel to Cleveland for a pair of contests before the holiday break.

Here are 9 things to watch for in tonight’s game.

1. SLOW STARTS

The Checkers have allowed four goals in a period three times this season, all of which occurred in first periods. The opening frame has been the toughest for the Checkers from a statistical perspective, as the team owns a -20 goal differential for the season. Conversely, it is -1 in the second and +6 in the third. Only Rochester (43 in second periods) has allowed more goals in any period than the Checkers’ 40 allowed in their firsts.

2. MUSICAL GOALIES

The Checkers have used three goaltenders – Daniel Altshuller, Michael Leighton and Alex Nedeljkovic – in their last four games, and have not started the same goaltender in consecutive games since Nedeljkovic got back-to-back starts on Dec. 3-7. Including Saturday’s contest, the Checkers have switched goaltenders in-game four times this season, two of which have occurred in the team’s last five outings.

Leighton, who is currently on NHL duty with Carolina, is responsible for seven of the team’s 11 victories this season and ranks fourth in the AHL with a 1.80 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.

3. ISSUES ON OFFENSE

After seemingly breaking out of their slump with seven goals in two games against the Moose, the Checkers fell back into their offense-starved ways over the weekend.

Against the Griffins, Charlotte failed to record two or more goals for the 17th and 18th times this season, moving to a 1-15-2 record in those situations.

On the flip side, the Checkers are a perfect 10-0-0 when breaking past that threshold.

4. FLEURY MAKES A SPLASH

Returning from an injury that sidelined him for the entire duration of the team’s two-week road trip through California, Haydn Fleury had the best offensive night of his young career Tuesday against Manitoba. The rookie blue liner lit the lamp twice for the first multi-goal game of his career in the Checkers’ victory. He followed that up with a helper in Saturday’s loss to Grand Rapids, giving him three points in his first four games back from injury.

5. TOCLHINSKY HEATS UP

After a bit of a slow start that saw him record seven points through the first 21 games of the season, Sergey Tolchinsky has broken out offensively. The second-year forward has now put up six points over the last seven contests to climb into a tie for second on the team in scoring.

6. KOPER ON A ROLL

With Charlotte’s lone goal on Sunday, Levko Koper continued to make a strong impression with the team. On recall from the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, the rookie forward has record six points (4g, 2a) in 11 games with the Checkers this season.

Between his recall on Nov. 21 and now, Koper’s four goals are the most by any Checkers player.

7. POWER OUTAGE

The Checkers appeared to be getting things back on track with their penalty kill, but the last stretch of games has proved otherwise.

Charlotte has allowed at least one power-play goal in six of the last eight games and four of the last five, surrendering seven tallies in 30 opportunities. Granted, four of those games came against power-play units ranked in the top five of the league, but the Checkers’ rough stretch has kept them trapped in the bottom third of the AHL rankings for penalty killing.

On the other side, the Checkers saw their power play click during their two-game series with the Moose last week, recording three tallies, including two in one game for the first time this season. But an 0-for-seven effort during their two game set with Grand Rapids has once again pushed the Checkers back into last place in terms of power-play percentage.

8. AGAINST THE MONSTERS

Tonight marks the first meeting this season between the Checkers and the defending Calder Cup champion Monsters (who made the switch from “Lake Erie” to “Cleveland” over the summer).

The Monsters got the best of Charlotte last season, winning five of the eight matchups, including each of the last four. The Checkers’ three wins against Cleveland came consecutively, with two of the three requiring overtime or a shootout.

Of Charlotte’s current active roster, Jake Chelios had the most success against the Monsters last season, putting up five points in seven games. For Cleveland, it was the duo of Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand who led the way with six and five points in the series, respectively.

Cleveland’s roster also features one familiar face in former Checker Aaron Palushaj, who has recorded 11 points in 26 games this season for the Monsters.

9. TUNE IN!

Follow along with tonight's action on Twitter and head here to listen to Jason Shaya's call of the game! You can also tweet at him to let him know you're listening!

You can also download the new Checkers App, available for both iPhones and Androids, for score updates and to play the new Top Line game!