Game Preview: Checkers vs Syracuse (Feb 17, 2018)

The Checkers are looking to close out their home stand on a high note, bringing their four-game winning streak into tonight’s matchup with the Syracuse Crunch.

1. PREVIOUSLY ON

Despite being beyond the midway point of the season, the Checkers and Crunch have met just once so far. That tilt came on Nov. 11 in Syracuse as the Crunch used three first-period goals to jump out to a commanding lead. The Checkers would rally and pull within one heading into the third period, but a strike from Eric Condra in the waning minutes of regulation sealed the 5-3 win for the home squad. Former Hurricane Jamie McBain led the way with a goal and three helpers, while Condra found the back of the net twice and former Checker Michael Leighton made 21 stops in the win. The contest also saw 12 power play handed out overall, with both sides netting a pair of goals on the man advantage.

2. SCOUTING THE CRUNCH

With two more points than Charlotte and one fewer game played, the Crunch sit above the Checkers in the Eastern Conference standings, but in their North Division race the Crunch find themselves in an identical situation to Charlotte, occupying the fourth and final playoff spot. The Crunch have picked up a point in four consecutive games but are just 5-4-0-1 over their last 10. Syracuse has shown the ability to get hot, however, as they rattled off a league-best 10 straight wins in late November.

Syracuse’s top-10 offense has been propelled this season by a platoon of rookies. Anthony Cirelli and Mathieu Joseph lead the way with 34 points on the year, while Mitchell Stephens has lit the lamp a team-best 17 times and Alexander Volkov has chipped in for 15 goals and 15 assists. The Crunch’s best players have also been their hottest as of late, with Joseph and Cirelli averaging over a point-per-game in their last seven and four games, respectively, and Stephens racking up 21 points in his last 19.

Another rookie has taken the majority share of time in the crease as well, as Connor Ingram boasts a 12-9-2 record this season in 25 appearances. He’s buoyed by veteran Eddie Pasquale, who is undefeated in five games with the Crunch since joining the club from Bakersfield.

“We haven’t seen them in a while but we’ve been watching tape on them,” said Checkers head coach Mike Vellucci on preparing for the Crunch. “They’re a good hockey team and they play with a lot of speed and skill. I know their coach is really disciplined so we just have to be ready for them.”

3. NEW BLOOD

The Checkers received a pair of big names from the NHL last weekend when Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris cleared waivers and joined the club. Injected straight into the lineup, the duo have paid dividends, with Jooris picking up an assist in each of his three games in Charlotte and Kruger netting his first goal with the team on Wednesday.

“With Krugs and Joos coming in,” said Vellucci. “They complement their lines and give us some experience.”

4. ROLLING DEEP

Charlotte’s roster is hefty as it currently sits, sporting at least seven extras at any given time. That bulk has given the coaching staff a wide array of players to choose from and they’ve used that to their advantage.

“We’re able to have our four lines pretty equal and that’s pretty good for our young guys,” said Vellucci. “I can roll four lines and when you’re playing this many games in a row that’s key.”

5. INJURY UPDATES

That pool of healthy options is continuing to grow heading into the weekend, as both Sergey Tolchinsky and Spencer Smallman appear to be recovered from their ailments.

“[Tolchinsky] is an option for the weekend,” said Vellucci. “He’s ready to go and we’ll see how that plays out.”

The Russian forward has 19 points in 29 games this season but has been out since Dec. 30 with a lower-body injury that required surgery.

“We’ve got to wait and see,” said Vellucci on whether Smallman and netminder Callum Booth would see any action to wrap up this home stand. “We have so many bodies so they’re not going to be in the first game this weekend but we’ll see how the second one goes.”

Smallman has missed the entirety of this season after getting hurt prior to the ECHL’s Florida Everblades’ season.

6. MAKE THEM SEE NED

Alex Nedeljkovic has seemingly hit his stride as of late. The Checkers have been riding their young goalie, with Nedeljkovic appearing in each of the team’s last 11 games and 15 of the last 16. The netminder, who leads the league with 22 wins and is tied for second with four shutouts this season, hasn’t slowed down with the heavy use, boasting a goals-against average under two and a 5-1-1 record since Feb. 3.

“I think he’s in a rhythm,” said Vellucci of Nedeljkovic. “He’s played really well when we needed him. He’s made those big saves. Credit to him. He deserves this opportunity and he’s made the most of it.

“He’d play every night if he could, he’s that kind of kid. But we need to make sure he’s off the ice quickly, we were only on the ice for 15 or 20 minutes today. Make sure we manage how many shots he’s getting when he’s on the ice.”

7. 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.