Game Preview: Checkers vs Grand Rapids (Oct. 29, 2016)

The Checkers came up big in their home opener last night, erasing an early two-goal deficit to beat the Grand Rapids Griffins 4-2.

Here are 9 things to watch for in tonight’s rematch.

1. MCGINN STRIKES TWICE

Last night’s game marked the ninth two-goal game of Brock McGinn’s career. A second-round draft pick by the Hurricanes in 2012, he now has 36 career goals, tying him with Brody Sutter for eighth on the franchise’s all-time lists. Last season, he finished second on the team with 19 goals despite playing just 48 games. He has yet to score his first hat trick.

2. RYAN LEADS THE WAY

Checkers captain Derek Ryan had three assists last night, marking his second three-point game of the young season. He how has eight points (3g, 5a) in five games, giving him sole possession of the team lead and putting him into a tie for fifth in AHL scoring. An AHL All-Star last season, Ryan now has five career games with three or more points, including a career high of four last season.

3. FANTASTIC FRESHMAN

Andrew Poturalski picked up an assist on the Checkers’ game-tying goal last night, which kept him in a tie for first among AHL rookies in scoring. He now has seven points in five games, including four goals that mark the highest total of all first-year players. Poturalski, who scored five points in 16 games on an amateur tryout following his sophomore season at the University of New Hampshire last spring, is also tied for first among rookies with a plus-6 rating.

4. HOME SWEET HOME

Last night’s win marked the third time the Checkers have won their home opener in their seven AHL seasons. It also brought Charlotte back above the .500 mark since returning home to Bojangles’ Colisem, with their home record now standing at 18-17-4 over the last two seasons.

5. SHORTHANDED SPECIALISTS

McGinn’s second goal last night, an empty-net tally, marked the Checkers’ third shorthanded goal in just five games this season. That tally, which is tied with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the league lead, is just two fewer than the five shorthanded goals they scored during the entire 2015-16 season.

The Checkers also killed all seven Grand Rapids power plays they faced last night, bringing their penalty-killing percentage up to 87.5 percent (24-for-27) on the season

6. BIG PERIODS, BIG WINS

The Checkers have an enjoyed a period of at least three goals scored in each of their two wins this season: a five-goal outburst in the first frame of an eventual 8-3 win in Iowa on Oct. 21 and a three-goal rally in the second period of last night’s win. Meanwhile, the Checkers have scored two goals or fewer in each of their other three games, all losses.

7. LEIGHTON LOCKDOWN

Offseason acquisition Michael Leighton was tapped for his second start of the season last night and improved to 2-0-0. After allowing a quick two goals, the veteran shut things down, holding the Griffins off the board for the remaining 50+ minutes of regulation.

As far as trying to guess who will be in net for tonight’s rematch, last weekend in Iowa head coach Ulf Samuelsson played a different goalie on each night of the back-to-back. However, in the team’s first back-to-back in Texas, rookie Alex Nedeljkovic got both starts, though Leighton would enter the first contest in relief.

8. AGAINST THE GRIFFINS

Friday’s win snapped a three-game losing skid the Checkers had against Grand Rapids. Charlotte’s last win came on Feb. 19, 2016, while its last win on home ice came Jan. 13, 2016.

Derek Ryan continues to have the Griffins’ number, as his trio of helpers last night gave him seven points in seven contests against Grand Rapids over the last two season.

Charlotte has only swept the Griffins in a two-game set once, coming in 2011-12.

9. NEW START TIME

Don’t forget, Saturday games have an earlier start this year, with the puck dropping at 6 p.m. Aside from being Superhero Night, tonight is also Military Appreciation Night, Family Night and College Night. View the details for all of tonight’s promos here.