Game Preview: Checkers at Iowa (Nov. 10, 2016)

The Checkers are taking their four-game winning streak on the road as they face the Iowa Wild in a midday matchup!

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

1. THE DOC IS IN

Derek Ryan has continued to scorch his way through the start of the season, racking up a team-best 11 points in eight games, meaning he has played a part in exactly 50% of all goals scored by the Checkers this season (excluding empty netters). The captain has been held scoreless just twice this season.

Ryan is besting his scoring pace from a season ago when he led the team, as he had seven points through the first eight games of the 2015-16 campaign. He didn’t notch his 11th point that year until game number 15.

2. SUFFOCATING

Charlotte has ridden their recent success up the league’s defensive rankings, currently sitting at second in the AHL in terms of goals-against per game. The Checkers have allowed five goals in their last five contests, including just one in their last three.

A big contributor to that has been their ability to stifle opposing offense’s chances. The Checkers are averaging 25.13 shots against this season, the second lowest mark in the AHL.

3. LEIGHTS OUT

Allowing just one goal in his last three starts, Michael Leighton has been a brick wall for the Checkers as of late. His 1.41 goals-against average is the lowest in the AHL among goalies with at least five games played and fourth overall, while his 5-0-0 record make him one of just two goalies in the league with at least five wins and no losses.

Leighton’s win over Rockford on Thursday was his 226th in the AHL, moving him ahead of former Checker Drew MacIntyre and into a tie for 7th all-time with Gord Henry.

4. BROCK'ED AND LOADED

After going scoreless through the first two contests of the year, Brock McGinn has come alive offensively. He has run out to a (still active) six-game point streak, the best by a Checker this season and tied for the longest current streak in the AHL.

The third-year pro has had no problem finding the back of the net as of late, piling up four goals in his last four games, a run that has propelled him to eighth on the franchise’s all-time goals list.

5. VAL-IANT EFFORT

Fully healed from the injury that kept him sidelined for nearly all of his time as a Checker last season, Valentin Zykov is proving to be a difference maker on the ice.

The Russian forward ranks fourth on the team in scoring and tied for second in helpers, as well as riding the longest assist streak of the year at three games.

6. ON THE ROAD

After a strong showing on home ice over the last two weeks, the Checkers return to the road, which has been less than kind to them.

Charlotte began the season with a four-game road swing, finishing 1-3-0 while being outscored 15-13, a seemingly innocent margin until you take into account their eight goal outburst against Iowa in the lone win.

7. THREE-PEAT

Heading into tonight’s match-up, just three points separate the first (Milwaukee) and last-placed team (Cleveland) in the Central Division. Including tonight’s opponents, seven of the eight teams hold either eight or nine points in the standings. During the course of its current three-game win streak, Charlotte has moved from eighth to second place.

8. IN THE WILD

The Checkers have historically enjoyed success against the Wild, entering this season with a 13-5-2 mark all time against them after a 5-1-2 showing a year ago. But in the team’s first two-game set earlier this season, Charlotte could only manage a split, blowing Iowa out 8-3 in the first matchup before falling 2-1 in the rematch.

They’ll get a chance for redemption against an Iowa squad that has been recently depleted by call ups. Christoph Bertschy and Zack Mitchell, two of the team’s top three scorers from last season, were recalled by Minnesota yesterday, as was this year’s leading scorer among team defensemen Mike Reilly.
The Wild will still trot out their fair share of talent, most notably new addition former AHL goals champion Teemu Pulkkinen. In net, Steve Michalek, who was appeared in five of the team’s last six games, holds a 4-1-0 record and a .939 save percentage.

9. MIDDAY HOCKEY

Today’s 11:30 a.m. puck drop in Iowa is the Checkers’ lone day game this year. Hide from your boss and listen to Jason Shaya’s call of the game at your desk!