Game Preview: Checkers at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Oct. 7, 2017)

The Checkers picked up their first win of the 2017-18 season in last night’s opener against Hartford, and are now slated to take on the Eastern Conference powerhouse Penguins. Here are seven things to know heading into tonight’s tilt.

1. FOEGELE'S STRONG DEBUT

None of Charlotte’s new faces brought as much to the table in their debut as Warren Foegele. The rookie, who is coming off of an OHL playoff MVP award last season and a five-point performance in the AHL preseason, potted two goals Friday night, including the game winner with a minute to go in regulation.

The 21-year-old forward is the first rookie in franchise history to score two goals in a season opener and the fourth player to accomplish that feat overall.

2. WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?

The Checkers’ fourth line was a strong force throughout Friday’s win. Patrick Brown picked up assists on both of Foegele’s markers, matching career highs in assists and points, while also leading the team in plus/minus with a career-high +3 rating.

Prior to last night’s puck drop, Brown was named team captain for the second consecutive season.

3. NED TAKES THE CREASE

After getting the nod as Charlotte’s opening night starter, last night marked Alex Nedeljkovic’s first appearance for the Checkers since March 5 of last season. The second-year pro made 23 stops in Friday’s victory over the Wolf Pack, his first AHL win since Feb. 24 of last season.

Jeremy Smith, who played two minutes of last night’s contest while Nedeljkovic had an equipment issue addressed, could make his first start for his new club tonight, as head coach Mike Vellucci expressed wanting to give both goalies a chance on back-to-backs to start the season.

4. REMEMBER?

The last time the Checkers faced the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was Game 6 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinal. On the verge of elimination, the Penguins built a 3-0 lead in the third period, only to see the Checkers roar back with four unanswered goals. The comeback was capped by a Zac Dalpe strike inside the final five minutes, putting the Checkers on top and sending the Penguins, who finished the regular season with the AHL’s best record, packing for the summer.

5. SCOUTING THE PENGUINS

A perennial power in the Eastern Conference, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is coming off a season that saw them record the AHL’s best win percentage in the regular season but bow out in a tough first-round matchup with Providence. The Penguins lost some high profile names from that squad, namely top blueliner David Warsofsky and forward Oskar Qundqvist, but they still possess a plethora of skilled options. The ageless Tom Kostopoulos is back after leading the club in scoring last season, as is Dominik Simon, whose 31 helpers last year tied for the team lead. Add to that incoming rookies Zach Aston-Reese, a Hobey Baker finalist last season, and Daniel Sprong, a highly-touted prospect out of the QMJHL, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton still has quite a pop to them.

6. STRONG BETWEEN THE PIPES

As good as the Penguins’ offense looks to be, it’s the two players backstopping them that could prove to be the biggest keys. After ranking as the stingiest team in the AHL in terms of goals-against per game last season, the Penguins are returning both Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry. The former came into the league as a rookie and led everyone in goals-against average while registering a staggering 21-5-3 record, while the latter slotted in fourth in the AHL in goal-against average and ranked third in wins.

7. 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.