Overall Record: 18-13-4 (Home 11-5-2, Away 7-8-2)
Previous 10: 4-6-0
Standings: 2nd – South Division, 6th – American Conference
The Checkers made their first northern road swing of the year and came home empty-handed as they were downed twice by Kalamazoo and once by Toledo. The good news is that division rivals South Carolina and Florida did not gain much ground. The Stingrays lost two of three over the weekend, while the Everblades went winless on a three-game northern road trip of their own. Andrew Carroll continues to impress and, in four games last week, lit the lamp four times and picked up three fighting majors. The rookie now shares the team lead in goals (15) with Kenny Roche.
Jan. 6 vs. South Carolina (W 5-4 SO)
The Checkers battled the conference-leading Stingrays and came out on top in the shootout. Andrew Carroll notched a goal, an assist and scored the shootout-winner while Miika Wiikman turned aside 27 of 31 shots for the win. Charlotte scored three quick goals in a span of 3:40 in the second, South Carolina tied it up late to force overtime and Charlotte won in the fifth round of the shootout.
Jan. 8 @ Kalamazoo (L 2-1)
Charlotte made its first ever trip to Michigan and was edged, 2-1, by the Kalamazoo Wings on Friday night. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Checkers. Andrew Carroll recorded his third goal in four games and Ryan Munce stopped 25 of 27 shots in a losing cause for the Checkers. The game’s three goals were scored in a span of 1:06 in the second period.
Jan. 9 @ Kalamazoo (L 7-4)
The Checkers managed to put four goals past one of the league’s hottest goaltenders, Ryan Nie, but it wasn’t enough as they were downed, 7-4, by Kalamazoo on Saturday night. Andrew Carroll added a pair of goals while Julien Brouilette recorded a goal, assist and fighting major for the Gordie Howe hat trick. Miika Wiikman made 24 saves and was handed his first regulation loss since Nov. 8, also against Kalamazoo – a span of 11 games.
Jan. 10 @ Toledo (L 6-3)
The Toledo Walleye jumped ahead on three power-play goals in the first period and hung on for the 6-3 victory. Kenny Roche notched a goal and an assist while Ryan Munce stopped 29 shots in a losing cause for the Checkers. The Walleye scored five special-teams goals – four on the power play and one by way of a penalty shot that was called with the man-advantage.
PLAYER NOTES:
Andrew Carroll has five goals in his last six games…Miika Wiikman has only two regulation losses in 12 games this season (7-2-2)…Aaron Slattengren has six points (3g, 3a) in his last six games…Tyler Doig ranks tied for seventh in ECHL scoring with 39 points (9g, 30a)…T.J. Reynolds leads all ECHL defensemen with 151 penalty minutes, and is second in overall ECHL plus-minus with a +20 rating …Derek Couture and Daniel Tkaczuk are on loan to Hartford (AHL) while Matt Ford and Randy Rowe are with Lake Erie (AHL)…Trevor Glass and Chris Chappell are on the 21-day injured reserve.
TEAM NOTES:
The Checkers are 10-3-1 in their last 14 home games…Charlotte ranks 5th in the ECHL in goals per game (3.54) and 2nd in shots per game (35.20)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
1/6 Add Codey Burki Activated off IR
1/5 Delete Randy Rowe Loaned to Lake Erie (AHL)
1/4 Add Ethan Graham Returned from Norfolk (AHL)
UPCOMING GAMES:
The Checkers will host Gwinnett on Wednesday (7 p.m.), travel to Gwinnett Saturday and return to host Kalamazoo on Sunday (2 p.m.). Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.
