Game Preview: Checkers at Springfield (Nov. 17, 2017)

After a quick day off, the Checkers are back in Springfield looking to avenge a midweek loss to the Thunderbirds. Here are 10 things to know heading into the tilt.

1. LAST TIME OUT

The Checkers and Thunderbirds met for the first time ever on Wednesday for an early tilt. The two clubs traded goals for two periods, battling back-and-forth to a 3-3 tie through two periods, but it was the home team that would break through in the third. After taking a too-many-men penalty with under three minutes to play in regulation, the Checkers were quickly assessed a delay of game penalty for inadvertently clearing the puck over the glass and out of play. With a five-on-three advantage, Tim Erixon ripped a one-timer with under 90 seconds left to put Springfield on top. The Checkers still had a penalty to kill and were unable to muster up a response as Alexandre Grenier’s empty netter sealed the 5-3 Springfield win.

2. FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

The Checkers head into Friday’s contest having lost consecutive games for the first time this season, dropping decisions to Syracuse last Saturday and Springfield on Wednesday. Prior to the loss to the Crunch, Charlotte was in the midst of their longest winning streak this season, a four-game romp that saw the club outscore their opponents 18-6.

3. SLOW STARTERS

Despite holding a plus-13 goal differential overall, the Checkers have struggled coming out of the gates of games this season. They boast an even differential in first periods alone, both scoring and allowing 15 goals.

The Checkers have struggled to get ahead early this season, surrendering the first goal of the game in 10 of 15 contests and going 5-5-0 in those instances. Those slow starts have often haunted Charlotte, as the team is 8-10-0 when tied or trailing at either intermission. On the flip side, the Checkers are a perfect 5-0-0 when netting the opening goal and 12-0-0 when holding a lead at either intermission.

4. OFFENSE STAYS HOT

Despite losing each of their last two contests, the Checkers continue to possess a strong offensive game. They are averaging 3.93 goals a game, the league’s second-best mark, while their 59 total goals trail only the 61 of the Laval Rocket, who have played one more game than Charlotte.

The Checkers have notched at least five goals in eight of their 15 games this season and at least three in all but two games, holding a 9-4-0 record in those instances.

After putting up three goals in each of their previous two losses, the Checkers could be due for another breakout, as they haven’t gone more than two games this season without a five-goal effort.

5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT

Despite their offensive prowess, the Checkers have fallen on the wrong side of the shot total more often than not this season. Charlotte, who has launched 429 shots while allowing 461, has been outshot in nine of 15 games this season, including in all five of the team’s losses. Meanwhile, the Checkers, who rank in the bottom third of the league in both shots for and against per game, are a perfect 6-0-0 when outshooting their opponents.

6. CARRICK PICKS UP THE PACE

Trevor Carrick, who recently became the franchise’s highest scoring defenseman, has ratcheted up his production as of late. The blue liner enters Friday’s contest on a three-game assist streak, notching four helpers over that stretch.

Carrick, who is tied with Philip Samuelsson for the scoring lead among Charlotte defensemen, is now up to eight points through his first 12 games of the season, already halfway to his 57-game total from a year ago.

7. POTURALSKI FINDS HIS WAY

After a bit of a slow start by his standards, last season’s scoring leader seems to have found his touch. Andrew Poturalski has logged four points in his last three games, including a pair of near-identical point blasts on the power play. The second-year pro, whose five goals are tied for third on the team, has also come up clutch recently for the Checkers with a pair of game-winning goals thus far.

8. SHORTHANDED MASTER

Despite only being 13 games into his pro career, Warren Foegele has already pushed his way into the Charlotte record books. The rookie has lit the lamp eight times this season, putting him one off of the team lead, but his most impressive work has come on the penalty kill. By converting a breakaway on Wednesday in Springfield, Foegele now has three shorthanded goals, tying Zac Dalpe’s franchise record for the most in a single season.

Foegele has now scored more shorthanded goals individually than 25 teams have as a whole, while the Checkers’ four shorthanded tallies rank first in the league.

9. STAY KUOKK

After making Carolina’s opening night roster as a teenager in October, expectations were high for Janne Kuokkanen when he joined the Checkers, and the young forward has not disappointed. Kuokkanen found the back of the net Wednesday against Springfield to give him four points in his last three games and bring his season total to five points in six games. The Finnish-born winger has become a mainstay in the Charlotte lineup since joining the club and enters Friday’s contest on a three-game point streak.

10. GET THE APP

The Checkers app got a fresh new set of paint during the offseason but functions just the same. Follow along with scoring updates as well as play the Top Line interactive game in order to win exclusive prizes.

You will also be able to listen to the radio broadcast via the app or this link. Jason Shaya’s pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop, tune in and tweet Jason to let him know you’re listening.