How’s the Charlotte Checkers Doing So Far?
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The Charlotte Checkers have been back in action for a few weeks now and I haven’t had a chance to write about them yet. As soon as the puck dropped on October 16 on the road against the Hershey Bears, it marked the first game action for the Checkers since early 2020 since the pandemic began. I know fans like myself really missed going to games last season, especially when mostly every other team in the AHL played. But the new season is in full swing, so let’s check how things have been going so far for Charlotte.
Inconsistency has been the key word thus far when describing the Checkers’ season. After opening with a 5-2 loss against the Bears, Charlotte has won five games and lost five games. One of those losses was in overtime, a 2-1 defeat to the Bears on home ice exactly one week after the season-opener. This gives the Checkers a 5-5-1 standing, which is good for 5th place (out of 8 teams) in the Atlantic Division, with 11 points. By comparison, the division-leading Springfield Thunderbirds have 20 points with a 9-2-2 record, while the bottom-dwelling Lehigh Valley Phantoms have nine points with a 3-7-3 record. Currently the Checkers are playing against the Bears (their fourth matchup with them already) at home.
The early portion of the season is also very away-game heavy. The Checkers have only played four games on home ice, while eight (including today’s game) have been on the road. Three more games will be played on the road until they finally come back home to Bojangles Coliseum.
If you don’t remember, the Checkers also roll out a new-look squad this year by switching NHL affiliates. All the players we were used to seeing before are now gone, as the Checkers switched from being part of the Carolina Hurricane’s franchise to the Florida Panthers. Fans weren’t too keen on the switch, and didn’t understand it either, but will have to warm up to the new players, which I’m sure won’t take very long. Interestingly enough, the Panthers currently have the best standing in the entire NHL. The Carolina Hurricanes are just a point behind.
So far, the two leading goal scorers on the season are Cole Schwindt (6) and Alexander True (5). Three players are tied with three apiece. True, and teammates Lucas Carlsson and Logan Hutsko lead the team with five assists apiece. The Checkers have utilized two goalies so far this season, both playing five games. Joey Daccord has compiled a 2-2 record while Christopher Gibson is 2-3. While the minutes in net are fairly even at 217 (Daccord) and 295 (Gibson), interestingly enough Gibson has recorded 157 saves to Daccord’s 95, but also giving up eight more goals than Daccord (17 to 9). The save percentage slightly favors Daccord with .913 to Gibson’s .902.
Like I’ve said many times on this website, it will be a season to get used to for Checkers fans. The new roster is one thing, but just getting back on the ice after sitting out an entire year is another. I haven’t gotten to go to a game yet this season, but I’m hoping the atmosphere is just as fun as it was pre-pandemic. I also hope the Checkers can get rolling soon, but it is a long season with a lot of games to play. We are still the defending Calder Cup champions and it would be nice to keep the cup in Charlotte. Go Checkers!
Garett