QUICK HITS
DEFENDING HOME ICE
The Checkers have now earned a point in the standings in 12 consecutive home games, matching a franchise record that was set in the 2018-19 season. The last time that the Checkers suffered a regulation loss at Bojangles Coliseum was on Feb. 11 against the Bridgeport Islanders. Charlotte’s 20 home victories this season are the third-highest total in the AHL.BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC
The Checkers have climbed their way to second place in the Atlantic Division and are closing in on clinching a spot in the postseason.Their magic number sits at three, which is the number of points needed by a team to clinch a playoff berth that goes down either by virtue of the Checkers earning points or the Lehigh Valley Phantoms failing to earn points.
In the unique playoff structure for this season, the top two teams in the division will earn a bye to the second round.
DALPE DELIVERS
Zac Dalpe continues to fill the net, posting three goals over the two-game sweep of Hershey. The Captain now has 27 goals on the year, tying him with Julien Gauthier for the eighth-most in a single season in franchise history. With eight games remaining Dalpe needs three more to become the fifth player in franchise history to score 30 goals in a season and six more to match Zach Boychuk’s franchise record of 36 from the 2013-14 season.QUOTES
Logan Hutsko on the team's home point streak"I think we just have a lot of fun together here, we love being in Charlotte. Our fans have been great. We’ve just kind of found a good rhythm and we’re playing our style of hockey every night. It’s been a blast and we really appreciate all the support."
Head Coach Geordie Kinnear on the team's last outing
"I liked the last game, I thought it was a 60-minute effort. What I really liked was that we had everybody contributing - it wasn’t just one line, it was everybody. That’s what we’re about, that’s how we’re built."
Hutsko on how the team can make sure to start on time
"I think it’s just preparation during the week. Making sure that we’re sharp in practice and on game days just making sure that we stick with our routines. It’s a long season and it can be hard to follow your routine every single game day, so if you can show your discipline by doing that, that’s how you make sure that doesn’t happen."
Kinnear on trusting young players to enter the lineup
"It’s been the identity of the team all year. We’ve had a lot of guys in and out. It’s about opportunity - everybody wants one but it’s about whether you’re ready and you’ve worked hard enough to make the most of it."
Hutsko on the mindset heading into this final stretch of games
"Every point matters, especially this late in the season. Especially in division games, you don't want to give anything away. Coach says to win our next shift and that’s what we focus on. Good things happen if you take it shift by shift."
COMING IN
CLT: 4-1-0-0 in last five games this seasonHFD: 0-4-1-0 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Scott Wilson - 3 goals in last 3 gamesZac Dalpe - 4 goals in last 3 games
Alexander True – 3 points in last 3 games
HFD
Zac Jones – 12 points in last 13 gamesAnthony Greco – 5 points in last 6 games
Nick Merkley – 4 points in last 3 games
TUNE IN
Tonight's game starts at 7 p.m. If you can't be at the Coliseum, you can tune in to every broadcast this season with a subscription to the league’s streaming platform AHLTV.As always, the radio broadcast will be available via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android.
