Overall Record: 9-3-2 (Home 6-2-1, Away 3-1-1)
Previous 10: 6-2-2
Standings: 2nd – South Division
Currently the hottest team in the ECHL, the Checkers have picked up 11 points in the last six games (5-0-1) and have scored 26 goals in the last four games. Charlotte, on a four-game win streak, is currently second in the competitive South Division (20 pts) and fourth in overall ECHL win percentage (.714). The high-powered line of Michel Leveille, Tyler Doig and Kenny Roche have notched 28 points (12g, 16a) in the last four games, collectively, and rookie Matt Schepke recorded his first career hat trick on Friday night.
Nov. 18 vs. South Carolina (W 7-0)
Charlotte scored 3 of 7 on the power play, Tyler Doig recorded five points (1g, 4a) and Miika Wiikman stopped all 36 shots he faced for his 10th career shutout on the way to a 7-0 routing of the defending champions.
Nov. 20 vs. Johnstown (W 7-4)
Rookie Matt Schepke recorded his first career hat trick and the Checkers scored seven goals for the second consecutive game on their way to a 7-4 victory over Johnstown. Miika Wiikman stopped 27 of 31 for the victory and the Chiefs scored all four of their goals on the power play.
Nov. 21 vs. Johnstown (W 6-2)
For the ninth time in 14 games this season, Charlotte drew first blood. Frank Doyle stopped 30 of 32 shots for the win and the line of Michel Leveille, Tyler Doig and Kenny Roche combined for another eight points. The Checkers got goals three different ways – three on the power play, two at even strength and one shorthanded.
PLAYER NOTES:
Michel Leveille has ten points (4g, 6a) in his last four games…Kenny Roche has six goals in his last four games…Matt Schepke has eight goals in 12 games and 14 goals in 24 career ECHL games…Miika Wiikman ranks second among all ECHL goaltenders in GAA (1.98) and save percentage (.930)…T.J. Reynolds leads ECHL defensemen with seven fighting majors… Andrew Carroll had a career-high five-game goal streak snapped on Saturday…Derek Couture remains on loan to Hartford, Matt Ford remains with Lake Erie (AHL) and defenseman Ethan Graham is with Norfolk (AHL)…Ryan Munce, Trevor Glass and Randy Rowe are all on the 21-day injured reserve.
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
• 100 ECHL points – Aaron Slattengren currently has 99 career ECHL points (100gp, 56g, 43a)
TEAM NOTES:
The Checkers have scored 26 goals in their last four games and have seven players in the top 20 in plus-minus rating in the entire ECHL…the team is 3-1-1 on the road this season…Charlotte is fourth in the ECHL in win percentage (.714)…The Checkers are 5-2-2 against South Division opponents and play the next four games against division-rival Gwinnett.
UPCOMING GAMES:
The Checkers will travel to Gwinnett for two games over Thanksgiving and will return to Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 29 to host the Gladiators. Game time is 2 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
