Game Preview: Checkers vs Utica (Oct. 28, 2017)

The Checkers are back at Bojangles’ Coliseum this weekend for their second home stand of the season and looking to keep their hot start going. Here are 12 things to know heading into tonight’s tilt.

1. OFFENSE ROLLING

One of the biggest pluses for the Checkers thus far this season has been their offensive attack. Charlotte is tied for sixth in the AHL in goals-per game, averaging just under four. That impressive number even includes the fact that the Checkers were shut out last Saturday in Toronto.

The team’s 27 total goals this season trail only Rockford and Laval, the latter of which has played one more game than the Checkers, who have scored at least five goals in four of their seven games this season.

2. BOUNCE BACK

The Checkers suffered a shutout for the first time this season last Saturday in Toronto, but were able to bounce back the next day in a big way.

24 hours after getting blanked, the Checkers went up against the same Toronto team and came out on top of a 6-4 slug fest. That rebound effort proved to be a strong response to some shake ups internally.

“We didn’t score the night before so I tried something different,” said head coach Mike Vellucci. “I thought we got a little complacent and didn’t work hard enough. I sent a message to some of the guys and moved the lines around and it worked.”

Last season the Checkers were shut out three times and followed each of those games up with another loss, two in overtime and one in regulation, while scoring no more than three goals.

3. BIG Z

With a big four-point effort against Toronto last Sunday, Valentin Zykov continued to been a force up front for the Checkers this season.

“He’s a big guy and he likes to get down low and play in front of the net,” said Vellucci. “We just showed one of his goals to the players in a meeting today and it was because he fought through a check to get to the net and battled down low and got the rebound. He’s really wide and hard to keep away from the front of the net.”

Zykov, whose five goals tie him for sixth in the AHL, found the score sheet in four of the team’s first five games this season. But after sensing some stagnation in the team overall, the coaching staff made a move that reinvigorated the forward.

“We switched that first line up and he had a great game,” said Vellucci. “He was getting some goals but I don’t think he was moving his feet a lot early on. In the last game he played the way I know he can play.”

The young Russian has enjoyed his most success when sticking to his preferred style of play, one that thrives when matched up with other skill players.

“He complements the line,” said Vellucci. “If you’ve got three little skill guys then nobody is going to go get the puck. He does the dirty work, he goes to the front of the net and he gets a lot of shots off the shins and ankles. He’s hard to move and he hunts down pucks, that’s when he’s at his best. You can’t have three of the same kind of players on the same line.”

4. WALLMARK'S REIGN

An integral part of Charlotte’s strong offensive start this season has been the dominant play of Lucas Wallmark. The Swedish forward sits in a tie for second in AHL scoring heading into the weekend with 11 points through seven games. Wallmark has found the score sheet in six of Charlotte’s seven games this season and has recorded multiple points in four of those. In fact, the second-year pro has scored the most points through the first seven games of the season in franchise history, eclipsing Jon Matsumoto’s 10 in 2011-12.

“It’s his vision on the ice,” said Vellucci of the key to Wallmark’s hot start. “His hockey sense is off the charts. He makes the right decisions with the puck. He’s not going to turn it over, he’s going to make the right play at the right time. When you do that, the points will always come.

5. DYNAMIC DUO

As has been the plan all along, the Checkers continue to rotate starts through their goalie tandem.

Alex Nedeljkovic has started four of the seven starts and while he has been accountable for four of the team’s five wins, has had comparable numbers to veteran Jeremy Smith, who has three starts.

With confidence in both netminders, the coaching staff’s rotation plan appears to still be intact.

“I think they’re both good,” said Vellucci. “Ned’s 4-0 right now, Smitty has played good games, I can’t blame him for anything. Ned is on a roll. He’s battled and had some good games. Smitty’s played good too. They’re both capable goalies and we’re lucky to have them. I’m excited for both of them to get games.”

6. NED'S WINNING WAYS

In four starts this season, Nedeljkovic has yet to find himself on the losing end of things. The second-year pro is a perfect 4-0-0, putting him in a tie for third in wins league-wide. That start is a huge leap from last season, when Nedeljkovic didn’t pick up his fourth win until Jan. 13 and finished the year with eight overall.

“He’s always competed very hard,” said Vellucci of his young netminder. “He’s a battler. That’s the key. He made three saves early in that second game against Toronto [on Sunday] where we could have been down 2-0 instead of up 2-0. Even if he gives up a goal he’s not going to worry about that, he’s already working on the next one. That’s what winning goalies do, they battle and they win.”

7. KICHTON RETURNS

A puck to the face during the preseason has kept Brenden Kichton sidelined through the first seven games of the year, but the blue liner is finally poised to make his Checkers debut this weekend.

“He’s healthy and ready to go,” said Vellucci. “We’re excited to have him back in the lineup.”

The 25-year-old has proven to a be a force at this level, twice topping 40 points in a year and ranking at least second among team defensemen in scoring for each of his four pro seasons.

“He’s great offensively,” said Jake Chelios. “Anytime you can get someone on the power play it helps out a lot. It’ll be nice to have him back. Obviously when you get someone back of Kichton’s talent it helps.”

8. INJURIES STRIKE

While the Checkers will be getting a big piece back into the lineup with Kichton, they could be without several other players.

Trevor Carrick exited last Sunday’s game in Toronto with an injury and did not return for the second or third periods. The blue liner rejoined practice late this week draped in a yellow ‘no-contact’ sweater, but his status remains unclear.

“He has a little more precaution,” said Vellucci. “We’re not sure if he’s going to be able to go this weekend, but he’s out here practicing so that’s the first step.”

Up front, Aleksi Saarela and Julien Gauthier both missed last weekend’s road trip due to injury, but returned to practice this week as full-participants. The forwards wore blue practice jerseys, designated for the three extra skaters up front, and join Carrick as being question marks moving forward.

“I’m not sure if they’re 100 percent ready to go or not,” said Vellucci of the pair. “If they are, we’ll have to make some adjustments in the lineup. But it’s tough to take guys out when you’re winning. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

9. SCOUTING THE COMETS

After getting swept by the Marlies in Toronto to begin the season, the Comets have rebounded to win three consecutive contests heading into this weekend. Leading that charge has been netminder Thatcher Demko, who played in all three wins and allowed three total goals while 97 saves along the way. That stifling hot streak has Utica in a tie atop the AHL in terms of goals-allowed per game, with its opponents averaging just two each night.

Offensively, the Comets rank in the bottom third of the league, totaling 14 goals through their five games this season. The offense has been paced by Reid Boucher, a solid AHL scorer who has played more games in the NHL than AHL over the last three seasons, and Nikolay Goldobin, who has recorded a point in all five games thus far.

Utica has also gotten some solid reinforcements heading into the weekend in the form of a pair of NHL assignments. Brendan Gaunce, who has 70 points in 124 games with Utica, was sent to the Comets on a conditioning stint, while Michael Chaput, two seasons removed from a 45-point campaign with the Monsters, was assigned by Vancouver. Both forwards spent nearly all of last season in the NHL with the Canucks and could be a substantial boost to the Comets’ attack this weekend.

10. HOMEGROWN SERIES

The first Husqvarna Homegrown Series date is Saturday and will showcase the best locally-inspired food, beer and art that our area has to offer.

Two local designers were chosen to have their work showcased on a limited edition poster, which will be given out to fans while supplies last, and on a t-shirt, which will be for sale. In addition, Saturday’s game will exclusively feature Pimento Cheese Fries and Catawba Brewing White Zombie beer, as well as a pregame concert from local band Time Sawyer.

11. HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

To celebrate Halloween, kids are encouraged to wear costumes and will be able to trick or treat around the concourse at both games. In addition, Saturday’s game is the first Family Night of the season where you can save 40% off groups of four tickets when purchasing online, as well as the first day of the Farm Bureau Insurance food drive, where fans who bring at least four cans of food will receive a free ticket to a future game.

12. 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.