QUICK HITS
BUSY WEEKEND
The Checkers are heading into a three-games-in-three-days scenario this weekend - the second of three instances on their schedule. The first came in mid-November, when the Checkers dropped the end caps to finish the three-in-three with a 1-2-0-0 mark.This marks the first of back-to-back three-in-three weekends, both of which feature the Checkers playing in three different states on consecutive nights.
AGANST THE BRUINS
Charlotte and Providence have squared off five times so far this season, with all of those matchups coming before Christmas. The Checkers are 2-3-0-0 against the Bruins thus far, but have won each of the last two meetings - though they remain winless in Providence this season.The results have come in a wide range, with two of the contests being decided by a 2-1 final and the other three seeing the victorious team notch five goals and win by at least two.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Checkers have wins in each of their last seven road contests, tying them for the longest active such streak in the AHL. In fact, that run also matches a franchise record for most road wins in a row - a mark that was hit in both 2010-11 and 2018-19.On the other side, Providence is 2-2-2-0 in it’s last six home games.
POWER OUTAGE
After going scoreless on their two man advantages in Sunday’s win over Hershey, the Checkers have now gone back-to-back games without a power-play goal. They are 1-for-13 over the last four games on the power play, though they have posted a 3-1-0-0 record over that stretch.So far this season the Checkers have not gone more than two straight games without scoring a power-play goal.
QUOTES
Head Coach Geordie Kinnear on facing the Bruins on Friday"Our division is very very tough so we’re going to Providence and playing our game and finding a way to win the hockey game."
Kinnear on managing preperation and rest at this point in the season
"It’s important. You put the work in and you give the guys the proper rest and recovery so they have the ability to perform at a high level. We always want to try and get our preparation right to maximize our skill set - individually and collectively."
Kinnear on not dwelling on recent road success
"We’re not looking back. We have a really good team to play Friday."
Kinnear on adjusting the lineup after this week's moves and injuries
"We kind of have to mix and match a little bit. But it’s part of being a team, you have to step up and find chemistry when asked."
COMING IN
CLT: 3-2-0-0 in last five gamesPRO: 3-1-1-0 in last five games
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Matt Kiersted - 8 points in last 9 gamesLogan Hutsko - 4 points in last 4 games
Henry Bowlby - 5 points in last 5 games
PRO
Georgii Merkulov - 13 points in last 8 gamesJustin Brazeau - 8 points in last 7 games
Jack Ahcan - 7 points in last 5 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's game starts at 7:05 p.m. You can tune in to the broadcast with a subscription to the league’s streaming platform AHLTV(home team broadcast only).The radio broadcast will be available via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android.
Additionally, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
