Checkers Host Utica on Saturday and Sunday
October 24, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Team plays two home games against Utica this weekend
The Charlotte Checkers will play the Utica Comets (affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks) for the first-time ever at Bojangles' Coliseum this Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.). Please see below for the latest news and notes.
The Checkers are practicing at Bojangles' Coliseum on Wednesday and Thursday before moving to Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail on Friday. All practices will begin at 10 a.m., with players and coaches available to media around 11 a.m.
Saturday marks the first installment of the Checkers' Husqvarna Homegrown Series, featuring the best of local food, beer, art and music. Full details can be found here.
TEAM NOTES
Off and Running: The Checkers' five victories tie the team record for most in the first seven games of a season (2012-13). Playing three road games in three days this past weekend, Charlotte won twice and currently occupies the No. 3 spot in the Atlantic Division.
On the Wallmark: Checkers forward Lucas Wallmark is currently tied for the AHL scoring lead with 11 points (3g, 8a) in seven games. Wallmark, who was not drafted in his first year of eligibility until the Carolina Hurricanes selected him in the fourth round in 2014, played his first eight NHL games last season.
Valentin's Day: Forward Valentin Zykov scored two goals in Sunday's victory over Toronto, giving him five in the season's first seven games. He and rookie Warren Foegele are part of a nine-way tie for fourth in the AHL in goal scoring.
Schilkey Show: After sitting out the team's first three games as a healthy extra, undrafted rookie forward Nick Schilkey has three points in four games. Both goals came in the third periods of games that would eventually be decided by one goal (excluding empty netters).
Between the Pipes: Following a rookie campaign that saw him win eight times in 25 appearances, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic is a perfect 4-for-4 this season. Nedeljkovic, who did not earn his fourth win until Jan. 13 of last season, is part of a four-way tie for the AHL lead in wins.
Getting Offensive: The Checkers' 27 goals mark the third-highest total in the AHL. Aside from being shut out in Toronto on Saturday, they have scored at least three goals in every game and have scored at least five goals on four separate occasions.
American Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2017
- Rangers Recall Boo Nieves from Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Iowa Assigns Caito and Michalek to Rapid City - Iowa Wild
- The Providence Bruins concluded their first three-in-three stretch of games this weekend - Providence Bruins
- Rampage Begin Ninth Year of Face off against Kids Cancer on October - San Antonio Rampage
- Oilers Assign Malone to Bakersfield - Bakersfield Condors
- Crunch Building momentum - Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch Building momentum - Syracuse Crunch
- Checkers Host Utica on Saturday and Sunday - Charlotte Checkers
- Rangers Assign Tony Deangelo to Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Blue Jackets Assign Jordan Schroeder to Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- DOWNTOWN CAREER FAIR RETURNS ON THURSDAY, November 2 - Rochester Americans
- Weekly: Penguins Sweep Weekend with Two Wins Past Regulation - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Amerks Recall Devante Stephens from Cincinnati - Rochester Americans
- San Antonio Rampage Weekly - San Antonio Rampage
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