Game Preview: Checkers vs Hershey (Jan. 14, 2020)

The Checkers return to Charlotte looking to keep their status as one of the league’s hottest teams as they host the surging Hershey Bears. Here's everything you need to know before puck drop.

1. HOME SWEET HOME

The Checkers are finally back in the Queen City after an extended trek that began just after Christmas. After shining on the road they will look to keep things going on home ice, where they have won three of their last four. They’ll take on a Hershey squad that has fared worse on the road but still holds an 8-6-2 record away from home.

“It feels great to be home,” said Checkers head coach Ryan Warsofsky. “It was a long trip so we’re super excited to be home. I’m sure the guys are excited to sleep in their own bed and get into their routine and play in front of our fans.

The coliseum will be packed tonight, as a sellout crowd is expected to attend the team’s annual 50s Night. That should create a welcoming atmosphere for the home side.

“We’ll use the energy in the building to get us going,” said Warosfsky. “It’s going to be important tonight against a really good team.”

2. ON THE WAY UP

With another solid week on the road, the Checkers are one of the hottest teams in the AHL, with their 8-2-0 mark standing tied as the league’s best record over the last 10 games. Winners of 11 of their last 14 contests, the Checkers are now right in the thick of the playoff race after sitting at the bottom of the division just a month ago. Charlotte is one point behind Springfield for the fourth and final Atlantic playoff spot while holding four games in hand over the Thunderbirds.

“We have four lines rolling,” said Warsofsky. “Especially in those games in Providence, we had four lines that were dangerous when they were on the ice and we got into the rhythm of the game. We stayed out of the penalty box and played five-on-five.”

3. OFFENSE HEATS UP

Charlotte continues to climb up the AHL’s offensive rankings, currently sitting in the number 12 spot. The Checkers have scored at least three goals in 13 of their last 14 contests, a good sign as they are 18-3-2 when reaching that three-goal mark. Taking it a step further, the Checkers have scored at least four goals in nine of the last 12 contests.

“We’re moving and holding onto pucks,” said Warsofsky. “We’re trying to create chances when they’re there, and when they’re not let’s try to hold onto it and wear them down in the offensive zone.”

4. GOAT KEEPS GOING

Julien Gauthier’s keeps on filling the scoresheet, lighting the lamp in Friday’s contest to move his point streak to nine games. That’s the longest by a Checker this season and three away from the franchise record of 12, set in 2013-14 by Ryan Murphy and matched in 2017-18 by Greg McKegg. Gauthier also followed up the snapping of his four-game goal streak in the last game of December by immediately starting a new one in which he is currently in the midst of.

“It’s a mindset,” said Warsofsky. “He wants the puck on his stick. He’s such a big human being and he can skate so well so he’s hard to defend in the offensive zone.”

Gauthier missed the Checkers’ last game after sustaining an injury during warmups, but the good news is that the forward is slated to make his return.

“He’ll be back tonight,” said Warsofsky.

5. SCOUTING THE BEARS

The Bears come into tonight’s contest as one of the hottest teams in the league, sporting an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games, identical to Charlotte. The Checkers, who split their first two meetings in Hershey earlier this season, will have their work cut out for them faecing the second-ranked defense in the AHL. Hershey is propelled by their duo of Vitek Vanecek and Pheonix Copley, both of whom rank in the league’s top-10 in terms of goals-against average, and the Bears have not allowed more than two goals in their last eight games.

“It’s a good test for us,” said Warsofsky of facing Hershey. “We have to make sure we start on time. That’s been an issue, even though we score first we have a bit of a letdown and lull in our first periods. We have to make sure we stay on the gas. There’s a lot of good teams in our division and a lot of skill. When you fall asleep or take a breath at certain times during the game, teams that have skill and can roll four lines like Hershey, they’ll make you pay. We have to make sure we’re aware of what we’re doing when we don’t have the puck.”

6. GUST PICKS UP POINTS

In Charlotte’s last outing Dave Gust recorded a pair of assists to mark the third time since Dec. 18 that he’s had a multi-point game and the second time in his last three games.

After starting the season with five points in his first 24 games, Gust has caught fire as a point-per-game player as of late, posting 13 points in his last 13 games.

7. MAXED OUT

Max McCormick has been one of Charlotte’s most prolific forwards over the last stretch of games. McCormick is tied for the second most points by a Checker since Dec. 17 (12 in 11 games) and tied for the lead in goals over that time (8).

McCormick is also coming off a hat trick in his last contest, the first of his career and the first by a Checker this season.

8. POWERING UP

After a quick three-game drought, the Checkers’ power play has swung back in the right direction. They have notched a goal on the man advantage in each of the last three games, converting four times on 10 opportunities over that stretch, and now rank seventh in the AHL with a success rate over just over 21 percent.

9. TUNE IN

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 or this link, so tune in and tweet Jason Shaya to let him know you’re listening!