Game Preview: Checkers vs. Iowa (Nov. 28, 2015)

The Checkers look to regain some momentum and continue their recent success against struggling Iowa as they host the Wild for back-to-back games this weekend. Here are nine things to know heading into the matchups:

1. MURPHY’S BACK

Defenseman Ryan Murphy rejoins the Checkers as he continues to rehab from a concussion suffered while playing for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 14. An AHL All-Star with the Checkers last season, he has 41 points (3g, 39a) in 50 career AHL games dating back to the 2012-13 season and holds Charlotte’s all-time records for longest assist streak and longest point streak, both of which lasted 12 games in 2013-14.

The Hurricanes’ first-round draft choice in 2011, Murphy, will be a welcome reinforcement to a defensive corps that has recently lost Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin to the NHL and Keegan Lowe and Rasmus Rissanen to injury. This is expected to be Murphy’s first AHL game since Jan. 23 of last season.

2. ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR BOYCHUK

Zach Boychuk, who passed Chris Terry to become the franchise’s all-time scoring leader last month, is set to again pass his former teammate to become the all-time leader in games played. His next game, which is expected to be tonight, will see him become the first player to play an even 300 games as a Checker.

Boychuk, who ranks fourth in the AHL with 63 shots on goal, ended a career-long, 16-game goal drought with his first of the season against San Jose on Tuesday. He currently leads the team with nine assists.

3. RUNNING WILD

Including a two-game sweep in Iowa to start this regular season on Oct. 10 and 11, the Checkers have won six consecutive games against the Wild, with the last loss coming nearly one full year ago on Dec. 8 of last season. The Checkers have an all-time record of 10-4-0 against Iowa.

4. TOUGH TIMES IN IOWA

The Wild, whose .214 winning percentage ranks last in the league, enter tonight’s game on an 11-game winless streak (0-10-1). It is already longer than any winless streak posted by any AHL team last season and is the longest since Bridgeport went 12 games without a victory in 2013-14.

During their slide, the Wild have scored more than two goals just once – a three-goal outing on Nov. 14. They rank last in the AHL in goals per game (1.67) and power-play percentage (7.8).

5. WE KNOW THOSE GUYS

The Wild boast a trio of players whose names may be familiar to Checkers fans and, in particular, Checkers players. Unfortunately, two of those, Zac Dalpe, who ranks fourth on Charlotte’s all-time scoring list, and Marc Hagel, brother of Kyle, are likely to miss this weekend’s games due to injury.

Former captain Brett Sutter, however, should be in the lineup to face his cousin Brody. Sutter, who ranks third on Charlotte’s all-time scoring list, has four points in 21 games this season.

6. MUSICAL GOALIES

The Checkers used Drew MacIntyre, either as a starter or in relief, for their first 11 games of the season. Since his first full night off on Nov. 8, it has been more of an even split with rookie Rasmus Tirronen playing four of a possible seven games.

For the season, Tirronen holds a 4-1-0 record, 2.61 goals-against average and .888 save percentage while winning three of his last four starts. Meanwhile, MacIntyre, who is one win away from tying Red Almas for eighth on the AHL’s all-time wins list, has lost each of his last four starts and now holds a 5-8-0 record, 3.29 GAA and .885 SV% on the season.

7. TURKEY TROT

Since joining the AHL in 2010, the Checkers are 4-1-0 in the game immediately following Thanksgiving.

8. TREVOR TRAIN

Trevor Carrick’s six goals this season rank second among all AHL defensemen. He is now just one shy of the seven he scored last season – a mark that set a record for a Checkers rookie blueliner. Three of his goals have come on the power play, which ties him for third among AHL blueliners, while his 46 shots rank fifth among league defensemen.

Carrick ranks third on the team with 11 points in 18 games – just one more than Jake Chelios for the team lead among defensemen.

9. CLIMBING THE CHARTS

Justin Shugg, who has nine points in 11 games this season, needs one goal to tie Jerome Samson for fifth on the franchise’s all time list (53). Meanwhile, Brody Sutter needs two goals to tie Jacob Micflikier for 10th (29).