Game Preview: Checkers vs Chicago (March 26, 2017)

The Checkers pulled off another win last night in the shootout to extend their streak to a franchise-record seven games. Now they’ll be looking to pick up their third straight sweep in an afternoon rematch with the Chicago Wolves. Here are 9 things to watch heading into another crucial contest at Bojangles' Coliseum.

1. WELL-TIMED WIN STREAK

Last night’s win was the Checkers’ seventh in a row, setting a new franchise record. Over the course of the streak, the team went from sixth in the Central Division and six points out of a playoff spot on March 9 to their current position of fourth with a one-point lead for a playoff spot and two games in hand. It is the longest active winning streak in the AHL and is tied for the sixth-longest posted by any AHL team this season.

2. HOME COOKING

The Checkers set another franchise record with their 23rd home victory last night, eclipsing the 22 victories they earned in their inaugural, 80-game season in 2010-11. At 23-9-1, the Checkers’ .712 points percentage at Bojangles’ Coliseum marks the seventh-highest in the AHL. Of the team’s current seven-game winning streak, each of the last five has come on home ice. Including today’s game, the Checkers will play five more games at home and seven more games on the road.

3. VETERAN PRESENCE

Forward Kris Newbury played a major factor in last night’s win, earning his 600th professional point with a second-period goal and then securing his second shootout-winning goal of the season for the walk-off victory. His goal extended his point streak to a season-long four games (2g, 2a), and of his 19 points on the season, 10 have come in his last 14 games.

4. BICKELL BREAKS THROUGH

After missing five games due to injury, Bryan Bickell returned to the lineup and scored his first goal as a Checker to give the team a third-period lead. The goal was his second of the season and first since he tallied with the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 28, just prior to learning that he had multiple sclerosis. Since playing his first game with the Checkers on Feb. 25, Bickell, a three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, has four points (1g, 3a) in seven games.

5. THE UNDEFEATED

Goaltender Tom McCollum stopped 30 of 32 shots last night to pick up his sixth victory in as many starts since debuting with the Checkers on March 10. Including one game played with Stockton prior to his acquisition on loan, McCollum is now 7-0-0 with a 1.63 goals-against average and .945 save percentage in the AHL this season. His six-game winning streak with the team ties Michael Leighton (Oct. 21-Nov. 11) for the longest by a Checkers netminder this season.

6. CARRICK CLIMBS THE CHARTS

Defenseman Trevor Carrick’s assist on Newbury’s goal last night was the 87th point of his career, allowing him to pass Bobby Sanguinetti for second on the Checkers’ all-time points list among defensemen. He needs just nine more points to pass Michal Jordan (2010-2014) and become the franchise’s all-time leader in that category.

7. SHARPSHOOTER

Including last night’s win, the Checkers now have three shootout victories in as many tries this season. They have scored six goals on 15 attempts, making them one of six AHL teams shooting at a 40 percent clip or better, and have stopped 12 of 15, making them one of nine teams to save 80 percent or more. Newbury and Sergey Tolchinsky are both perfect in two attempts to lead the team in goals, while McCollum last night became the third Checkers goalie to earn a shootout victory this season (Leighton, Alex Nedeljkovic).

8. SHORTHANDED SUCCESS

Including a crucial kill in overtime last night, the Checkers have gone 17-of-19 on the penalty kill (89.5 percent) over their last eight games. During that time, the team has allowed fewer than three opportunities in a single game five times. The Checkers have taken the third-fewest amount of penalty minutes in the AHL this season, with an average of just 10.6 per game.

9. TUNE IN!

If you can't make it to the game tonight, you can still tune in to hear Jason Shaya's call live from Bojangles' Coliseum via the Checkers app! The pregame show kicks off at 12:45.

You can also use the Checkers App to receive score updates and to play the new Top Line game!