Charlotte Checkers Check-In (Jan. 11)
Photo: gocheckers.com
Welcome back Checker fans to another weekly edition of our Checkers Check-In. While it is cold outside, the Charlotte Checkers are bringing the heat indoors! With a busy schedule last weekend in Canada, the Checkers swept through the 3-game grind going 3-0. They took care of business against the Senators on Friday and Saturday, while rolling over the Marlies on Sunday. Adding six points in three days pushed the Checkers up to 57 on the season and nine more than division rival Sound Tigers, who are 2nd in the AHL in points. It’s truly remarkable the season the Checkers are having thus far.
In all three games last weekend, the Checkers won by at least three goals. Behind goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic’s impressive performance, Patrick Brown and Julien Gauthier both scored goals to lead Charlotte to a 4-1 victory over Belleville on Friday. Instead of coming out flat after an impressive showing the previous night, the Checkers’ offense upped their output, pouring in six goals against the Senators in a 6-3 winning effort. Gauthier also upped his performance from Friday night scoring twice in Saturday’s matchup. Scott Darling picked up his fifth win on the season. Back in Toronto (for the 2nd time in a week) it was Nedeljkovic’s turn to build upon his impressive showing from Friday night. He did just that. Behind a red hot offense, he shut out the Marlies, stopping all 34 shots. The big goose-egg on the board at the end of the game signaled Nedeljkovic’s first shut out of the season. The win evened the series on the year between the Checkers and the Marlies at one apiece. They will face each other again January 19th and 20th.
Get excited Charlotte fans because after two weekends of playing on the road, the Checkers are back on home ice tonight! Their next six games will be played in Charlotte, at the Bojangles Coliseum. Tonight and tomorrow, the Checkers will square off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who are 4th in the Atlantic Division and 16 points behind the Checkers. On the season, the Checkers are 2-0 against the Penguins. I’m really interested to see if the offense can continue to click on all cylinders and keep the win streak going. I cannot describe how exciting this team is and how much fun the atmosphere is at Bojangles Coliseum this season. If you can make it, get on out of the cold weather and support your Charlotte Checkers. Don’t forget that tomorrow, January 12, is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Night, so wear your teal-colored shirts and raise awareness and funds to support the great cause. If you are not able make it to either game, you’ll be able to watch both games online for free! Friday’s game will be shown on Facebook Watch and Saturday’s game will be on AHLtv. Let’s go Checkers!