Game Preview: Checkers vs. Chicago (Jan. 22, 2016)

The Checkers welcome the Chicago Wolves to town tonight to kick off a two-game series between the Central Division foes..

Here are 9 things to know about the match-up:

1. THE GAME MUST GO ON

Tonight's game will be played as scheduled at 7 p.m. Ticket holders who are concerned about weather-related travel difficulties may exchange their tickets for one of three upcoming home games listed below by contacting a Checkers ticket representative at (704) 342-4423 or emailing [email protected]. Representatives will be available from 8:30 a.m. until game time.

Those coming to the game are encouraged to arrive eraly and take advantage of our Early Bird Specials, which can be found here.

2. WINTER WARRIORS

The Checkers have lit things up this winter, holding a 12-3-1-1 (.765) record so far in December and January. The best record through those two months in franchise history is 14-8-0-0 (.636), set in 2013-14. That also stands as the last time that the Checkers have finished consecutive months with records over .500.

The Checkers entered today tied for second in the Central Division, trailing the first place Rockford IceHogs by .021 percentage points.

3. WOLVES' WOES

After rolling out to a hot start this season, including two decisive wins over the Checkers, the Wolves have fallen back a bit, and are now losing ground at sixth in an ultra-competitive Central Division. A big part of those struggles has been their play away from home. Chicago is 5-11-1-1 this season on the road, with those five wins standing as the third-lowest in the AHL. They had dropped eight straight road games before defeating the Grand Rapids Griffins in overtime last weekend.

4. MAC IS BACK

After suffering an injury at the Spengler Cup over the holiday break, it looks like Drew MacIntyre is ready to return to the crease. The veteran will team up with rookie Rasmus Tirronen to man the Charlotte net after Daniel Altshuller earned his first career NHL recall yesterday. MacIntyre is 9-9-1 on the season, but is 4-1-1 in his last six starts prior to his departure.

5. WELCOME TO THE CLUB

Ethan Werek joined the team via a PTO on Dec. 26 to help fill in a hole in the lineup. Since then, the forward has had the hottest hand on the team, recording seven points in his nine games with the club, and is currently on a four-game goal streak, the longest posted by a Checker this season. A veteran of 244 career AHL games, Werek has become a mainstay in the Charlotte lineup.

6. FREE HOCKEY

The Checkers continued their dominance of the extra session with Saturday's win, improving to 7-2 in overtime games this season. Their .778 winning percentage in the extra frame, which includes a 3-1 record in the five minute, three-on-three period and a 4-1 record in the shootout, is the third-highest in the AHL.

7. CHELIOS SURGING

Don't look now, but defenseman Jake Chelios, who will face his former team tonight, has strung together quite a stretch and has rocketed to third on the team in scoring, trailing second-place Trevor Carrick by just two points. Currently on a four-game assist streak, the second-year pro has 11 points in his last 12 games to bring his season total to 21 in 35 games. Chelios has already surpassed his rookie season totals for goals, assists and points.

8. BRODY BREAKS OUT

With three in his last five games, Brody Sutter has jumped up to third on the team in goals. While in a less offense-oriented role this season, the fourth-year pro has been an integral part of the team's success, with his line (Sutter centering Brendan Woods and Patrick Brown) impressing enough for the coaches to keep them together consistently even among other shake ups. The scoring touch that is reemerging is something he showed last season when he racked up a career-high 12 goals in just 45 games.

9. FOURTH-LINE FOCUS

The Checkers have gotten a boost from the play of their fourth line this season. While there have been some changes throughout the year, the most consistent combination as of late has been David Wohlberg centering Kyle Hagel and Zach Boychuk. Wohlberg, who began this season as a PTO before earning an AHL contract, has been a workhorse, already setting a career high with 13 points so far this season, while Hagel continues to be a physical presence. Boychuk's high-end skill has helped him thrive in his new role as well, employing a more physical game while also kickstarting his offense a bit with four points in his last seven games.