Game Preview: Checkers at Grand Rapids (Jan. 6, 2017)

The Checkers’ post-holiday road trip rolls on through Grand Rapids, where the team will look to shake their struggles and get back on track. Here are 8 things to know about tonight's game against the Griffins:

1. SLIDING BACK

The Checkers finally vanquished their franchise-worst 12-game road winless streak with a victory over Manitoba on Dec. 30, but seem to have fallen back into their old ways. They have dropped two consecutive games to kick off 2017, dropping them to last in the Western Conference standings and tied for the worst record in the league.

Since Thanksgiving, the Checkers are 4-12-1.

2. HOMESICK

Of the 33 games they’ve played this season, the Checkers have logged 21 away from home, the highest total in the AHL. Charlotte has a 4-15-2 record on the road, leaving them with the worst winning percentage away from home in the AHL as well.

In those road losses, the Checkers have been outscored 25-59.

Charlotte is 1-12-2 in their last 15 road games. All four of their road wins on the year have come against either Iowa or Manitoba.

3. POTURALSKI LEADS THE WAY

The Checkers’ scoring efforts have been led this season by a rookie, as Andrew Poturalski has pushed his way to the top of the team scoring lead.

With three points in his last four games, Poturalski has now accumulated 21 points through the first 33 games of the season, tying him for 11th among AHL rookies.

No rookie has ever led the Checkers in scoring for a full season. Poturalski’s current pace would put him with the second-highest single-season point total by a rookie in franchise history. The record holder is Zac Dalpe with 57 in 2010-11, followed by Victor Rask’s 39 in 2013-14.

4. DWYER FINDS HIS TOUCH

After an injury sidelined him for a sizeable chunk of games earlier this season, Patrick Dwyer has rebounded and appears to be finding his groove. The veteran forward has recorded a point in each of the last two games and has made an impression across the ice, even getting time on the power play.

5. GOALIE CAROUSEL

The rotating goalie situation continues to spin for the Checkers. With Alex Nedeljkovic in Florida and Michael Leighton serving as Cam Ward’s backup in Carolina as Eddie Lack recovers from injury, Charlotte’s crease appears to belong to Daniel Altshuller for the time being. The third-year pro hasn’t seen a ton of action with the Checkers this season, starting just three games so far, with his last appearance coming nearly a month ago.

Backing up Altshuller will be recent PTO-signee C.J. Motte. Recently selected as an EHCL All Star, the second-year pro had been a rock in net for the Quad city Mallards early on this season, ranking second in the league in both goals-against average and save percentage at the time of his signing.

6. NOT SO SPECIAL TEAMS

After seeing a slight uptick in production, the Checkers’ power play has fallen back to last in the AHL in terms of percentage. They have two goals in their last 24 man advantages over the last seven games, an 8% clip.

The Checkers’ penalty kill has been the stronger of the two special teams units, but have still seen their fair share of struggles. They have allowed a power-play goal in three consecutive games for the third time this season, surrendering four in their last 12 times shorthanded.

Tonight’s matchup won’t be an easy one for the Checkers to turn things around in. The Griffins boast the top power play in the league, producing at a staggering 27.3%. Their penalty kill has been more middle of the road, however, something the Checkers will need to take advantage of.

7. AGAINST THE GRIFFINS

The Checkers have already squared off against Grand Rapids four times this season, all in Charlotte, with the two sides splitting the series thus far. The two-game series could not have been any different, however, in terms of who was suiting up.

The first two matchups, which opened the Charlotte’s home slate, saw the Checkers handle the Griffins with ease, winning 4-2 and 3-0 behind eight combined points from Brock McGinn and Derek Ryan and two flawless performances from Michael Leighton. The next two meetings had a different look, however. With McGinn, Ryan and Leighton all in the NHL, the Checkers couldn’t keep up with the Griffins, dropping both contests by a combined score of 9-2.

The Griffins have continued to soar since then, sitting atop the Western Conference, just two points shy of the league lead. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games and have won five straight on their home ice.

8. TUNE IN

Tune in to hear Jason Shaya's call live from Grand Rapids tonight, with the pregame show kicking off at 6:45, and 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!