FIVE STORYLINES
HUTSKO'S HOT START
It hasn’t taken Logan Hutsko long to adjust to the pro level. The rookie has been Charlotte’s most consistent scorer, finding the scoresheet in six of the team’s seven contests thus far. Hutsko is tied for seventh among AHL rookies in points and tied for sixth in assists, and his seven points are the second-highest total by a rookie through the first seven games of a season. The high mark for the first 10 games of a season by a rookie is 10, set by Victor Rask in 2013-14 and matched by Andrew Poturalski in 2016-17.SCHWINDT BREAKS OUT
Cole Schwindt had a big weekend offensively, recording points in both Saturday and Sunday’s games. Saturday saw him notch the first multi-point game of his career, and the following night he notched not only the first shorthanded goal of his pro career, but the first by a Checker this season.CRANKING UP THE OFFENSE
The Checkers are averaging three goals a game so far this season – tying them for 11th in the league – and have hit that mark exactly in each of their last three games, with eight of those nine goals coming at even strength. They’ll look to keep that momentum going against a Lehigh Valley team that is coming off a 25-save shutout of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in their last game, but surrendered 12 total tallies over the three games prior.HOME SWEET HOME
The early part of Charlotte’s season has been heavy on road games, which have made up five of its first seven games. The Checkers now return to Bojangles Coliseum, where they have claimed three of four possible points this season and have not posted a regulation loss.PHANTOM'S SLOW START
The Checkers will be looking to take advantage of a weekend matchup against a Lehigh Valley squad that has struggled out of the gates this season. The Phantoms sit in the cellar of the Atlantic Division, having earned their first regulation victory in their last contest. Their biggest hurdle has been offensively, having failed to score more than two goals in each of their first eight games this season before a four-goal outburst against the Penguins. With the Phantoms posting the second-lowest goal total in the AHL and the worst goals per game average, the Checkers will aim to keep the visitor’s scoring woes rolling by righting the ship after surrendering 11 goals over their last three contests.QUOTES
Head coach Geordie Kinnear on the focus over the last week of practice"Nothing has changed, we have to keep getting better. We played some good hockey over the weekend but the bottom line is that we didn’t come out with enough wins. We’re building off what we did well and fixing what we didn’t do very well."
On Cole Schwindt's recent play
"He’s worked hard and paid attention. He’s playing the right way, and when you play the right way you get rewarded. When you don’t do the right things, you dont get rewarded. He’s come with a workman-like attitude and was rewarded with some goals - a big goal o nthe penalty kill. That’s going to kind of be his identity going forward."
On getting Charlotte's special teams going
"It’s not just about the penalty kill, it’s about the penalties we take to put us on the kill. If it’s a power play, it’s about creating momentum, it’s not always about scoring goals. We’ve lacked in both of those departments so it’s about finding the right people to do the job and get it done."
Captain Zac Dalpe on the lineup changes up front
"You just have to adapt. Chemistry is finicky at times. I find that the more you talk to your linemates the better you are - whether it’s reflect on the shift or the game or the weekend. That’s what I preach within the line that I’m on, obviously other guys have other ways to go about it."
On rebounding from the road trip
"With a long week, you can put it to bed pretty quick. Obviously the road trip didnt go in our favor. I feel like we had skin in the games. It’s the old hockey cliche, you screw up and they score. But I think this week has been pretty positive. It’s something that the fans don’t see but the practices are pretty hard here and high paced."
Cole Schwindt on feeding off the home crowd
"As a new player coming into Charlotte I hadn’t seen the crowd yet. It’s awesome. I give it all to the fans, the energy is awesome. Getting in this atmosphere is awesome."
COMING IN
CLT: 2-2-1-0 in last five games this seasonLHV: 1-2-2-0 in last five games this season
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Cole Schwindt - 3 points in last 2 gamesSerron Noel - 2 points in last 2 games
Matt Kiersted – 2 points in last 3 games
LHV
Garrett Wilson – 3 points in last 2 gamesGerry Mayhew – 3 points in last 2 games
Morgan Frost – 4 points in last 2 games
PROMOS
Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. - Checkers vs. Lehigh Valley
- Stick Taps for Service presented by Novant Health - honoring essential workers that have helped us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Checkers to wear special jerseys as part of a collaboration with the City of Charlotte that will be auctioned during the game.
- T-shirt and ticket package. Get a shirt with the City of Charlotte logo collaboration and a ticket together for $30 total. THIS PACKAGE IS SOLD OUT
- Family Night presented by Fairfield Inn and Suites - save 40% when purchasing at least four tickets online.
- WSOC's Steve's Coats for Kids - bring a new or gently-worn coat to donate to a kid in need and receive a free ticket for our game on Friday, Dec. 10
TUNE IN
Tonight's Stick Taps For Service game starts at 6 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.
