Checkers Weekly Report
Published on January 2, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
The Checkers returned from their nine-day holiday break to record back-to- back wins in Rockford and Chicago that extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1). The streak ties Charlotte's longest of the season, a team- record five-game winning streak that spanned from Nov. 20-30.
Thanks to its two victories and a Milwaukee loss on New Year's Day, the Checkers enter the first full week of 2012 with a two-point lead in the Midwest Division and the second seed in the Western Conference. Milwaukee, which hosts the Checkers this Saturday, has still played three fewer games.
Prior to heading out on that weekend road trip that will also take it to Chicago on Sunday, the Checkers host San Antonio for back-to-back games at Time Warner Cable Arena beginning Tuesday.
Checkers 4, Rockford 3 (SO) -
The Checkers returned from the longest holiday break of any AHL team to record a 4-3 shootout victory over the IceHogs in Rockford. Charlotte surrendered a 3-1 first period lead it had earned on goals by Matt Pistilli, Chris Terry and Jerome Samson but scored on all three of its shootout attempts to extend its point streak to four games. Mike Murphy made 26 saves and stopped all three Rockford shootout attempts to get the win.
Checkers 4, Chicago 1 -
Charlotte beat a Midwest Division foe for the second time in as many nights as it topped the Chicago Wolves 4-1 on a New Year's Eve matinee. Nicolas Blanchard, Jerome Samson and Zach Boychuk got the Checkers out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, with Mike Murphy allowing just one goal until Brett Sutter sealed the win with an empty-net tally. Murphy finished with 28 saves as the Checkers extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1), tying a season high.
- Checkers with the Checkers set for Jan. 13
The inaugural Checkers with the Checkers tournament/charity event will take place Friday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. at BWW.
- Nash hopes to build on NHL debut
Now back with the Checkers, Riley Nash will have a chance to build on confidence gained during his first NHL experience.
- Hurricanes recall Zac Dalpe
The Carolina Hurricanes made their second forward recall of the Checkers' holiday break, bringing up forward Zac Dalpe.
- STREAKING: The Checkers current five-game point streak (4-0-1) is tied with Norfolk for the longest active streak in the AHL and tied for the team's longest of the season. Since Nov. 20, the Checkers have also experienced a team-record five-game winning streak (Nov. 20- 30) and tied a team record with a four-game losing streak (Dec. 5-15).
- DIVISIONAL DOMINANCE: The Checkers have taken 19 out of a possible 24 points (9-2- 1) against fellow Midwest Division teams this season, good for the highest percentage (.792) of any AHL team against its own division.
- PENALTY KILLING PROWESS: The Checkers have killed off 21 consecutive power plays over their last six games, marking their best streak of the season in both categories. The team, which has not given up a power-play goal since Dec. 11, now ranks seventh in the AHL with an 84.4 percent penalty-killing rate.
- SAMSON SHOOTS, SCORES: Charlotte forward Jerome Samson, the AHL's shots on goal leader once again with 143 in 33 games, has scored four goals in his last five games to reclaim the team lead in that category (14). Eight of Samson's goals this season have come on the power play, tying him for third in the AHL.
- SANGUINETTI'S HELPFUL RETURN: Since returning from a 10-game absence caused by a broken foot, defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti has five points, all assists, in seven games. Despite playing in just 23 of the Checkers' first 33 games, he now leads all team blueliners in assists (11). Seven of those helpers have come on the power play, giving him the most on the team behind Chris Terry's 11.
- SHOOTOUT ACE: After stopping all three challengers against Rockford Dec. 30, Checkers goalie Mike Murphy has now allowed just one goal in 13 chances. That gives him a shootout save percentage of .923, which ranks second in the AHL and first among active goaltenders. Murphy has won all three of his shootout appearances this season, helping the Checkers to a 4-1 record.
- HOME AND AWAY: The Checkers' 24 points earned at home this season are tied with Milwaukee for second-most in the league behind Manchester's 25. With a record of 11-4-2 this season, the AHL Checkers have improved to 33-17-6 all-time at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Checkers recently broke the .500 mark on the road with an away record of 8-7-1.
STREAKS
- The Checkers have earned points in each of their last five games (4-0-1).
- Jerome Samson has points in each of his last five games (4g, 1a).
- Zach Boychuk has points in three consecutive games (1g, 3a).
- Brett Sutter has points in each of his last two games (1g, 2a)
- Chris Terry has points in each of his last two games (1g, 1a)
- Nicolas Blanchard has points in each of his last two games (1g, 1a)
- Mike Murphy has started six consecutive games in goal (Dec. 15-30; 3-1-1).
- Dec. 26 - (C) Zac Dalpe recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte
- Tuesday, Jan. 3 vs. San Antonio (7 p.m.) -Wet Your Whistle Weekday: 12 oz. Bud Lights for $3.50
- Wednesday, Jan. 4 vs. San Antonio (7 p.m.) -Wet Your Whistle Weekday: 12 oz. Bud Lights for $3.50
- Saturday, Jan. 7 at Milwaukee (8 p.m.)
- Sunday, Jan. 8 at Chicago (4 p.m.)
American Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2012
- Pirates Rally to Overtake Whale in OT - Connecticut Whale
- Dallas Places Souray on IR, Recalls Defenseman Brenden Dillon - Texas Stars
- Sharks Begin 2012 Quietly with 4-0 Loss in Bridgeport - Worcester Sharks
- Poulin, Sound Tigers Shut out Sharks 4-0 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Barons Weekly Report - Oklahoma City Barons
- Oilers Recall Teemu Hartikainen; Assign Lennart Petrell to Barons - Oklahoma City Barons
- Chris Conner Rejoins Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Cantin Returns from Reading; Sheen Released - Providence Bruins
- Week 14: Crunch Pick up Five of Six Points to End 2011 - Syracuse Crunch
- Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Local Youngster Has Special Lunch - Springfield Falcons
- Devils' Henrique Named NHL Rookie of the Month for December - Albany Devils
- Bears Work Extra Time - Hershey Bears
- Sound Tigers sign Mathieu Aubin to PTO, Isles return Micheal Haley - Bridgeport Islanders
- Hogs Struggle to Win the Close Ones in Week 14 - Rockford IceHogs
- IceCaps McCambridge Named Coach for 2012 AHL All-Star Classic - St. John's IceCaps
- Checkers Weekly Report - Charlotte Checkers
- Bruins Recall Caron from Providence - Providence Bruins
- Whale's Kris Newbury Earns Reebok/AHL Player of the Week - Connecticut Whale
- Connecticut's Kris Newbury Named Reebok/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Capitals Assign Cody Eakin to Hershey - Hershey Bears
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