FOUR STORYLINES
STREAK STOPPERS
The Checkers have the formidable task of denying AHL history on Friday night, as the Utica Comets are looking to move to 12-0-0-0 - a mark that would stand as the most consecutive wins to start a season ever.Charlotte enters the contest on a hot run of their own, rolling in on its first three-game winning streak of the season.
IN THE CREASE
After settling into their tandem between the pipes, the Checkers have spent the last four games alternating starts between Christopher Gibson and Joey Daccord. Charlotte is 3-1-0-0 over that stretch, while making 115 saves and surrendering just seven goals along the way. That strong play has pushed the Checkers up the league rankings, where they currently sit 10th in terms of goals-allowed per game.They’ll square off with what has been the one of the league’s top duos in Akira Schmid and Nico Daws - the former leads the AHL in goals-against average and save percentage, while the later ranks eighth and tied for third, respectively. The Comets have given up the fewest goals in the AHL this season, while the Checkers enter the contest ranked seventh in the AHL in terms of goals scored per game.
KILLING IT
The Checkers have been lights out on the PK as of late, going four straight games without surrendering a power-play goal - in fact, they have 18 consecutive man advantages over that stretch. It hasn’t all been defensive either - with another two strikes on the kill in Wednesday’s win over Lehigh, the Checkers are now tied for the league lead with five shorthanded goals this season.Charlotte will look to keep that ball rolling against a Utica squad that falls more toward the middle of the pack on the man advantage, ranking 12th in the AHL in power-play percentage, but have yet to surrender a shorthanded goal this season.
ROAD WARRIORS
The early stages of the Checkers’ season has been dominated by away games, with nine of their 13 games coming on the road. While their record stands at 5-4-0-0 on the road, the Checkers have found their groove as of late - Charlotte is 3-1-0-0 over its last four road games while outsourcing its opponents by a combined 14-7 score.COMING IN
CLT: 3-2-0-0 in last five gamesUTI: 5-0-0-0 in last five games
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Scott Wilson - 5 points in last 6 gamesAlex True - 3 points in last 2 games
Cale Fleury – 2 assists in last 2 games
UTI
Joe Gambardella – 7 points in last 6 gamesA.J. Greer – 4 points in last 4 games
Marian Studenic – 5 points in last 4 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's contest starts at 7 p.m. in Utica, 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!
