QUICK HITS
ON A ROLL
The Checkers enter the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the AHL, with their 8-1-1-0 mark matching Stockton as the best record over any team’s last 10 games. In fact, since the start of March Charlotte is 14-2-2-0.BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC
This weekend features two of the division’s top squads going head to head, as the Checkers hold the first-place spot and a .022 lead over the Thunderbirds - who are tied for second with the Providence Bruins. These two matchups between Charlotte and Springfield, as well as Providence’s swing through Lehigh Valley and Hershey on Saturday and Sunday, mean that come Monday there may be a clearer picture of the path to the division title.SCOUTING SPRINGFIELD
The Thunderbirds head into this series on a bit of a down swing, sporting a 5-4-1-0 record over their last 10 games and on a four-game winless streak. That includes a tough loss to Syracuse on Wednesday in which Springfield squandered a 2-0 lead before ultimately falling 4-1. The Thunderbirds have been a different squad on home ice, though, as their 22-10-2-0 record in Springfield matches Charlotte as the second-highest home win total in the AHL.DALPE DELIVERS
Zac Dalpe continues to fill the net for Charlotte, as the captain tallied his 29th goal of the season on Wednesday - giving him six goals in the last seven games. Dalpe now needs just one more goal to become the fifth 30-goal scorer in franchise history and seven more to tie Zach Boychuk’s franchise single-season record.MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
Alexander True is currently riding a wave of momentum that has carried him into the team scoring lead. The forward has lit the lamp in each of the last four games, marking the longest such streak by a Checkers player this season.COMING IN
CLT: 4-0-1-0 in last five games this seasonSPR: 1-3-1-0 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Alexander True - 7 points in last 7 gamesDennis Cholowski - 4 assists in last 3 games
Zac Dalpe – 6 goals in last 7 games
SPR
Tommy Cross – 5 points in last 5 gamesBrady Lyle – 4 points in last 4 games
Dakota Joshua – 2 points in last 2 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's contest starts at 7 p.m. in Springfield, and as always you can listen to the game for free via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android. You can also watch via the league’s AHLTV service.And new for this season, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
