Game Preview: Checkers vs Rochester (Jan. 20, 2018)

After a midweek sweep of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Checkers are welcoming the Rochester Americans to town for the first time ever.

1. PREVIOUSLY ON

The Checkers and Americans have met one other time this season before tonight, with the Checkers notching a comeback win in Rochester. After surrendering two goals in the opening frame, Charlotte stormed back with four unanswered goals in the second period and another in the third to skate away with a decisive 5-2 victory. Five different Checkers lit the lamp and Alex Nedeljkovic made 20 stops to pick up the win, while Linus Ullmark allowed four goals on 16 shots before being pulled for Adam Wilcox in the second, who would stop 15 of the 16 shots he faced.

2. SCOUTING THE AMERKS

A far cry from their struggles a year ago, Rochester has established itself as one of the league’s top teams. Their 55 points are the third-most across the AHL, while they have only lost in regulation on the road twice all year, the fewest in the AHL. The Americans come to Charlotte in the midst of a slight downtick, however. The last 10 games have seen them barely crack the .500 mark and they enter tonight on a three-game winless streak, having scored two or fewer goals in each of those.

Still, Rochester has no shortage of talent on its Rochester and will likely prove to be a big test for the Checkers.

“They have some older guys and some really skilled forwards,” said Checkers head coach Mike Vellucci. “They’re on quite a streak right now, they’ve been one of the hottest teams over the last couple of months. They play stingy D so we need to make sure we don’t turn pucks over, that’s the key for us, to play in their end as much as possible.”

3. BACK ON TRACK

After dropping four consecutive games to match their longest losing streak this season, the Checkers snapped out of that skid with a big weekday sweep of Bridgeport. The pair of wins helped separate the Checkers from the Sound Tigers in the standings, as Bridgeport had temporarily jumped Charlotte for the Atlantic Division’s playoff spot, and move the team within four points of first place in the division.

“That was a big series for us because we’re battling them for a playoff spot,” said Vellucci. “It felt like a playoff atmosphere. The game meant a lot and you have to find a way to win those. That’s the key. Everyone talks about identity, we want our identity to be that we win those tight games and we’re not going to panic. We’re going to play the game smart whether we’re up or down.”

4. POWERING UP

After going scoreless in 22 straight man advantages over five games, their longest drought this season, the Checkers bounced back in Wednesday’s victory over Bridgeport. Charlotte struck twice on the power play, including the game-winning goal on a late two-man advantage.

Despite that recent downturn, the Checkers still boast the sixth-best power play in the AHL, with the units improving thanks to a full lineup.

“To me, the power play is all repetition,” said Vellucci. “Those guys have been together all year so when you miss one of them it slows it down. But now they looked good. The other unit moved the puck well too and they got a lot of scoring chances. Both units are clicking.”

5. ON THE MARK

After spending some time in the NHL, Lucas Wallmark returned to Charlotte for the two games against Bridgeport and made an immediate impact. The Checkers are now 17-5-0 with the Swedish forward in the lineup and 6-11-0 without him. Wallmark’s three-point effort on Wednesday brought his season total to 25, good for fourth on the team despite only appearing in 22 games thus far.

“It’s his hockey sense,” said Vellucci of what makes Wallmark so valuable to the team. “He makes little plays. The average fan may not see it but he makes those subtle passes into the middle to relieve some of the pressure and get it up wide. He’s a smart hockey player.”

6. NED HEATS UP

After going three straight appearances with a loss, his longest skid of the season, Alex Nedeljkovic has resumed his winning ways. The netminder blanked Bridgeport on Tuesday for his second shutout of the season, then followed that up the next night by stopping 23 pucks to pick up his 16th win to move into a tie for third in the AHL.

“He’s deserved every start he’s gotten,” said Vellucci. “Kudos to him. I thought he’s been confident all year long and that’s key for any goaltender. I’ve always believed in him and he’s been playing really well.”

7. LINE UP NOTES

The Checkers’ lineup had a late change to it on Wednesday when Nicolas Roy was scratched due to injury just before game time. Roy was a full participant at Friday’s practice but was skating with the fifth line of extras, and his status for this weekend is up in the air.

“He’s going to be a game-time decision,” said Vellucci. “We’ll know more [Saturday]. I’d say it’s 50-50 he gets in this weekend.”

Should he not be able to go, Vellucci has been happy with some of his other skaters filling in.

“I thought Heardy [Mitchell Heard] played well this week,” he said. “He adds toughness for us and he’s a competitive person that keeps the other team honest. I liked his game. [Nick] Schilkey, obviously whenever he’s gotten in the lineup he’s been good, he had a couple scoring chances this week.”

8. GET THE APP

The Checkers app got a fresh new set of paint during the offseason but functions just the same. Follow along with scoring updates as well as play the Top Line interactive game.

You will also be able to listen to the radio broadcast via the app or this link. Jason Shaya’s pregame show starts 15 minutes prior to puck drop, tune in and tweet Jason to let him know you’re listening.