Checkers Weekly Report
November 21, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
Overall record: 10-6-2 (Home 5-1-1 | Road 5-5-1)
Last week's record: 1-0-1 | Last 10 games: 5-4-1
Standings: 1st Midwest Division | 3rd Western Conference
The Checkers returned home for the first time in nearly a month last week, picking up three out of a possible four points against the visiting Rockford IceHogs via a 3-2 shootout loss on Friday and a 4-3 regulation victory on Sunday.
Now with an overall record of 10-6-2, the Checkers find themselves with a one- point lead over the Milwaukee Admirals in the Midwest Division while ranking third in the Western Conference. They'll take that lead into their first midweek game of the season in Norfolk on Wednesday before facing off with the Admirals in a crucial two-game set at Time Warner Cable Arena on Saturday and Sunday.
The Checkers' series with Milwaukee begins a run of six consecutive games at home, where the Checkers are 5-1-1 this season.
Rockford 3, Charlotte 2 (SO) - Recap
Zac Dalpe, playing his first game in Charlotte this season, tied the game with 3:47 left in regulation to force overtime but the Checkers would eventually fall to Rockford in the shootout on Friday. IceHogs goalie Alec Richards made 48 saves, the most by any AHL goaltender in a single game this season, as the Checkers fell despite winning the shots battle 50-33. Defenseman Michal Jordan scored for the Checkers in the second period, joining Dalpe as the only Charlotte players to record multiple points.
Charlotte 4, Rockford 3 - Recap
Matt Pistilli scored the eventual game-winner early in the third period and Justin Peters made 25 saves in relief of injured starter Mike Murphy as the Checkers concluded their two-game home series against Rockford with a 4-3 win on Sunday. Defenseman Chris Murray scored his first goal as a Checker in just his second game following a recall from the ECHL's Florida Everblades, joining Pistilli, Jon Matsumoto and Chris Durno on the score sheet.
- The Checkers have scored first in just seven of their 18 games this season, tying them for the second-fewest amount of "first goals" in the league. When they do record the first goal, the Checkers are 6-1-0.
- Since returning from injury on Nov. 5, Checkers goaltender Justin Peters has posted a record of 3-1-1 with a .952 save percentage and 1.48 goals-against average. Since giving up a total nine goals in his first two games, Peters has allowed just eight goals in his next six contests.
- Following a stretch in which he recorded just 4 points in 10 games, Checkers leading scorer Jon Matsumoto has begun to heat up again, recording 4 points (3g, 1a) in his last four contests. He most recently recorded a goal and an assist during Sunday's win against Rockford, marking his fifth multi-point game of the season. Matsumoto currently leads the team in goals (7 - tied with Jerome Samson) assists (10) and points (18).
- Though well behind his goal-scoring pace from last season, Checkers forward Chris Terry is on track for 42 assists, a mark that would top his previous career high by 12. Terry is currently tied with Jerome Samson for second on the team in assists (9), one behind leader Jon Matsumoto. The third-year forward has assists in each of his last four games, tying his career-long streak set during his rookie season with Albany.
- With 3 goals, Charlotte defenseman Michal Jordan is already just 1 goal shy of matching his rookie total from last season. Jordan recorded a goal and an assist during Friday's game against Rockford, marking his second multi-point game of the season, and has points in each of his last two games (1g, 2a). The Czech Republic native leads all Checkers defensemen in goals, points (8) and plus/minus (+4), while ranking tied for second in assists (5).
- Jerome Samson is the AHL's leader in shots on goal with 88 - 13 more than any other player. He has recorded an average of 4.89 shots per game this season, which is the highest pace of his five-year AHL career.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 at Norfolk (7:15 p.m.)
- GEICO Challenge Cup - Broadcast: WBCN 1660 AM | AHLLive.com
Saturday, Nov. 26 vs. Milwaukee (7 p.m.)
- Share the Warmth Presented by Piedmont Natural Gas - Fans who bring their gas bill and opt in to the Share the Warm program will receive a complimentary Checkers scarf, courtesy of Piedmont Natural Gas.
- Checkers Winter Glove Giveaway - First 3,000 fans get Checkers winter gloves courtesy of Piedmont Natural Gas.
- Movember - Special discounted $15 ticket to November games online.
Sunday, Nov. 27 vs Milwaukee (2 p.m.)
- Coke Family Four Pack - 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Cokes and a Coke coupon for $60.
- Skate with the Team Presented by Extreme Ice Center - Fans can skate with the Checkers after the game
- Family Day Presented by North Carolina Zoo Asheboro - Zoo coupons will be handed out.
- Movember - Special discounted $15 ticket to November games online.
American Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2011
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Students at Lincoln Middle School to Design Salak's Goalie Mask - Rockford IceHogs
- Marshall and Bourdon to NHL - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs Weekly Report - Manchester Monarchs
- Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Griffins Make Roster Moves - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Whale Players Sport Facial Hair for "Movember" - Connecticut Whale
- Coyotes Recall Goncharov from Portland - Portland Pirates
- IceHogs Take Shootout in Week 7 - Rockford IceHogs
- Cavs and Monsters Host Holiday Toy Drive to Deliver the Magic of the Season - Cleveland Monsters
- Week Eight - Maroon Picking up Points - Syracuse Crunch
- Amerks Fans Invited to Take Part in "Teddy Bear Toss" - Rochester Americans
- Abbotsford Heat Release Patrick Cullity - Abbotsford Heat
- Albany Devils Weekly - Albany Devils
- P-Bruins Release Clark - Providence Bruins
- Abbotsford's Leland Irving Named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Vancouver Returns Climie to Chicago - Chicago Wolves
- Checkers Weekly Report - Charlotte Checkers
- Whale Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- Blue Jackets Recall Goaltender Allen York from AHL's Springfield Falcons; Assign Left Wing Matt Calv - Springfield Falcons
- Rampage Weekly Update - San Antonio Rampage
- Sabres Recall Defenseman TJ Brennan - Rochester Americans
- B-Sens Recall Max Gratchev and Brian Stewart from Elmira - Binghamton Senators
- Weekly Report - Falcons Player Streaks and Stats - Springfield Falcons
- Feast Of Games On Holiday Week Schedule - Hershey Bears
- Hurricanes Recall Brett Sutter from Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
- Marlies Hold off Rivermen 4-3 - Peoria Rivermen
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