QUICK HITS
PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Checkers are in the midst of a tight battle for the Atlantic Division. Two losses over the weekend to Providence have set them back from the first two spots (each of which earn a first-round bye) - sitting nine points behind Hershey and 12 points behind Providence.Currently sitting in third place, the Checkers hold a three-point edge over the Thunderbirds heading into this series.
ON A SKID
Charlotte’s weekend sweep at the hands of the Bruins marked the first time that the team has registered back-to-back regulation losses since Jan. 10 and 11. In fact, it is only the third losing streak that the Checkers have experienced this season, and only one extended beyond two regulation losses - a five-game skid in December.AGAINST THE THUNDERBIRDS
Despite it being late March, this is the first time that the Thunderbirds have visited Charlotte this season. The three previous meetings between the two squads all took place in Springfield, with the Checkers earning a win in the first matchup in November before losing each of the next two in late February and early March.Each meeting between Charlotte and Springfield thus far has been fairly lopsided - being decided by three goals each time.
DENISENKO DOES IT AGAIN
With another helper on Sunday, Grigori Denisenko has found the score sheet in each of the last six games. That stands as not only his longest such streak of the season, but of his career. The Russian forward needs three more games to match the longest point streak by a Checker this season, set by Riley Nash earlier in the year.QUOTES
Assistant Coach Jared Staal on facing the Thunderbirds"We’re going to expect their best. They’ve been playing a lot of good hockey for the last couple months now. They’ve got a really good team, we expect a really strong effort for them - so we have to be ready."
Staal on playing the Thunderbirds three games in a row
"It’s different. It makes it more difficult but it definitely sets you up for preparing like a playoff series. That’s the way you have to treat it. Teams will make adjustments, you have to make your adjustments. It’s a good little chess match and it’s good to prepare for the playoffs."
Staal on the lessons the Checkers took from their series against Providence
"Stick with it. I thought we played pretty well for both games through two periods. And then they took advantage of their opportunities and didn’t stray away from their game plan. That’s something that we need to continue to learn and get better at. I thought for the most part a lot of our play was good, but at the end of the day they stuck to it a little bit more than we did and they got the results."
Staal on what the key is when the Charlotte offense is clicking
"Playing fast in the neutral zone - our transition game is really quick, we’re on top of pucks. When we have all five guys on the ice in sync, that’s when we’re really good. As soon as we get out of sync that’s when our game slows down and we’re not as effective."
Staal on playing in front of the home crowd at the Coliseum
The crowds have been fantastic all year. There hasn’t been a dip, it’s been incredible. We owe them a great week of home games.
COMING IN
CLT: 2-2-0-1 in last five gamesSPR: 2-2-0-1 in last five games
WHO TO WATCH
CLT
Lucas Carlsson - 17 points in last 13 gamesGrigori Denisenko - 7 points in last 6 games
Zac Dalpe - 7 points in last 6 games
SPR
Matthew Peca - 4 points in last 2 gamesMathias Laferriere - 4 points in last 3 games
Will Bitten - 6 goals in last 5 games
SEE YOU THERE!
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TUNE IN
Tonight's game starts at 7 p.m. If you can't be at the Coliseum, you can tune in to the broadcast with a subscription to the league’s streaming platform AHLTVThe radio broadcast will be available via the Checkers app on iPhone or Android.
Additionally, our friends over at Ed's Tavern on 2200 Park Road are going to be showing the game on their TVs!
