Game Preview: Checkers vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (March 13, 2018)

The Checkers are looking to keep their winning ways going as they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the first time this season.

1. HOME SWEET HOME

The Checkers continue to be red hot on home ice this season. With last weekend’s sweep of Hartford, Charlotte is the third team in the AHL to hit 20 home wins thus far, logging a 20-9-0-1 record at Bojangles’ Coliseum. The Checkers, who are 10-2-0 in their last 12 home contests, now host a Penguins team who is 13-11-3-1 on the road.

2. FAMILIAR FACES

Two of the netminders on the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton roster have ties to the Checkers. Anthony Peters spent the last two seasons on a two-way AHL contract with the Checkers, spending the majority of that time in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades. Peters made one appearance with Charlotte 2015-16, making 44 stops in a loss to Grand Rapids. Meanwhile, Michael Leighton went 11-7-3 with the Checkers last season, his lone campaign with the organization.

On the flip side, Charlotte’s newest forward Greg McKegg will be visiting his former team for the first time since being dealt from Pittsburgh to Carolina at the NHL trade deadline. After logging 12 points (5g, 7a) in 28 games with WBS, McKegg has put up four points (1g, 3a) in his first five contests with Charlotte.

3. NED SHINES

By picking up the victory Saturday against the Wolf Pack, Alex Nedeljkovic has run his total to 27 wins this season, the most in the AHL thus far. The second-year pro, who has won nine of his last 11 appearances, is now tied with John Muse for the franchise’s single-season wins record, needing just one more to set the new mark.

Nedeljkovic has played in 29 of the team’s last 34 contests and the team is looking to keep leaning on the netminder’s strong play.

“Ned’s our guy,” said head coach Mike Vellucci. “Smitty is injured right now, we’ll see if he can get in by the weekend. But Ned will be playing both games.”

4. SCOUTING THE PENS

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, along with the Binghamton Devils, are one of the last teams to make their inaugural trip to Charlotte this season. The Checkers got the best of the Atlantic Division heavyweights during the two previous contests in Pennsylvania, earning a pair of victories on the road.

The Penguins boast a strong stable of scorers on their roster, sporting the sixth-best offense in the AHL, a stat made even more impressive by the fact that Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has the worst power play in the league. The Penguins have also been strong on the other side, with their goals-against per game average ranking 11th in the league. They have gone through a carousel netminders this season, with seven different goalies taking the crease thus far. With top prospects Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith currently both in the AHL, the Penguins are leaning on the trio of Peters, Leighton and Etienne Marcoux.

“They’re an older, experienced team and they’re one of the top teams in the league,” said Vellucci. “They move the puck well and they’ve always been a good stingy defensive team. So we need to make sure that we get to the front of the net.”

5. CARRICK PITCHES IN

Last weekend’s series against Hartford saw Trevor Carrick deliver a big boost to the Checkers’ production. The blue liner set a career high with three helpers in Friday’s win, then pinched in to collect a rebound goal in Saturday’s rematch.

Carrick now has 33 points on the year, putting him into a tie for eighth among all AHL defensemen. The fourth-year pro has especially excelled on the man advantage, as his 19 power-play assists are the second-most by blue liner in the league.

6. KUOKKANEN STAYS HOT

The reigning AHL Rookie of the Month continued his hot streak over the weekend, notching three points in the two-game series against Hartford. Kuokkanen’s 25 helpers this season, which put him in a tie for fifth among all AHL rookies, are tied for the third-most in a single-season by a Checkers rookie, nine shy of the franchise record set by Zac Dalpe in 2010-11.

7. FAMILIAR FOES

Warren Foegele earned his spot atop the record books on Saturday as well. A slick wrap-around conversion in the third period brought Foegele’s total to 25, breaking Lucas Wallmark’s franchise record for goals by a rookie.

The 21-year-old leads all AHL rookies in goals this season, boasting a three-goal lead over the second place skater, and is tied for fourth in the league overall.

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.