Game Preview: Checkers vs Grand Rapids (Oct. 28, 2016)

The Checkers make their long awaited home debut this season after a four-game road swing to kick off the year, hosting the Grand Rapids Griffins for a two-game set.

Here are 12 things to watch for this weekend.

1. POTURALSKI LIGHTING IT UP

Rookie Andrew Poturalski heads into the team’s first homestand of the season with the hot hand. The 22-year-old leads all AHL rookies in goals and is tied for the lead in points with six through the first four games of the season. After racking up four points (2g, 2a) in last Friday’s win, one shy of the franchise record, Poturalski was held off the scoresheet for the first time this year in Saturday’s rematch.

2. CAPTAIN CONSISTENCY

After leading the team in scoring a season ago, Derek Ryan has picked right back up where he left off. The forward has put up five points through the first four contests, including lighting the lamp in each of the last two.

Ryan is leading the team by shooting at a 30 percent clip and all three of his goals have come via special teams (two power-play goals, one shorthanded goals).

3. SHORTHANDED SUCCESS

With Derek Ryan finding the back of the net during the penalty kill last Saturday in Iowa, the Checkers are now one of just four teams with multiple shorthanded goals this season, with only 16 of the 30 teams register at least one.

Last season, the Checkers recorded five shorthanded goals, putting them in the bottom five in the AHL.

On the other hand, their power play has been underwhelming to start the season. They have marked two goals on 20 man advantages, tied for 23rd in the league in terms of percentage. Getting the power play rolling is something head coach Ulf Samuelsson mentioned earlier this week as a key focus for the team heading into the weekend.

4. COMING HOME

The Checkers are back at Bojangles’ Coliseum looking to reverse their fortunes from the end of last season. The team lost their final three home games last year, a slump that contributed to their missing the playoffs. The good news however, is that immediately prior to that stretch, the Checkers rattled off a seven-game point streak on home ice.

As far as home openers go, the Checkers have only won two in their six previous seasons as an AHL franchise, with the last instance coming in the 2012-13 campaign.

5. SLOW START

Charlotte’s 1-3-0 record coming out of the gate is the team’s slowest start to a season since 2014-15. The longest it has taken the Checkers to collect their second win of the season was the seventh game in 2010-11.

Charlotte has only finished the month of October below .500 twice, in 2010-11 and 2014-15.

6. WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?

Patrick Brown’s start to the season has continued his upward trend since his rookie year. Coming off a sophomore season that saw him more than double his point total from the year before, Brown has started the season hot, marking four points in as many games. The forward was also named an alternate captain along with defenseman Matt Tennyson.

8. FIRING RUBBER

The Checkers have come out shooting this season, currently sitting third in the league with an average of 37.50 shots per game. They have registered at least 33 shots in all four games this season, with the peak coming as a 45-shot effort against Texas.

The key for Charlotte will be turning that offensive pressure into goals. Aside from an eight-goal outburst against Iowa last Friday, the team has recorded just five total goals in their three other contests this season.

9. MANTHA FLYING HIGH

Griffins star forward Anthony Mantha comes into Charlotte as one of the most lethal scorers so far this season. Coming off a 21 goal, 45 point season for Grand Rapids last year, the 20th overall pick in the 2013 draft leads the AHL with 6 goals in his first five games. He was, however, held in check in the team’s most recent contest, a win over the Cleveland Monsters.

10. GRIFFINS ON LOCKDOWN

While they boast a corps of talented scorers on their roster, Grand Rapids’ identity thus far this season has been more on the defensive side. Led by a strong start from netminder Jared Coreau, the Griffins are tied for fourth in the AHL in goals against per game, surrendering just 10 goals through their first five contests. They have allowed more than two goals in a game only once.

11. APPROACHING MILESTONES

• Mitchell Heard - 3 shy of 50 pro assists
• Jake Chelios - 2 shy of 50 AHL points
• Connor Brickley - 3 shy of 50 pro assists

12. FREE STUFF!

Get here early for tonight’s contest and you’ll be treated to two giveaway items! The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt, while the first 4,000 fans will receive a magnet schedule presented by Novant Health. See everyone tonight!