Overall record: 28-18-1-4 (Home 13-10-0-4, Away 15-8-1-0)
Last week’s record: 2-0-0-0
Previous 10: 6-4-0-0
Standings: 3rd – East Division, Tied 5th – Eastern Conference
The Checkers opened their six-game home stand last week with victories over Norfolk and Providence. The wins bumped Charlotte to 10 games over the .500 mark for the first time this season, pulling into a third-place tie with Norfolk in the East Division at 61 points.
Jerome Samson, fresh off his 2011 AHL All-Star Game appearance, led the Checkers with five points (2g, 3a) in the two games, including the overtime game winner in Thursday’s 7-6 win and a shorthanded marker on a great individual effort on Sunday. Samson now ranks third in the AHL with 25 goals on the season.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Game 50: Thursday, Feb. 3 – vs. NOR (W, 7-6 OT)
Seven’s A Winner In Overtime
Samson’s goal, 1:11 into overtime, was the difference as the Checkers beat the Norfolk Admirals, 7-6, at Time Warner Cable Arena Thursday evening. For the first time in nine meetings in the season series, the home team prevailed. Jon Matsumoto led the offensive charge for Charlotte, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Chris Terry and Jerome Samson also contributed a goal and assist each, while Mike Murphy made 30 saves to improve to 11-2-0 in his last 13 starts.
Game 51: Sunday, Feb. 6 – vs. PRO (W, 4-3)
Late Goal By Bowman Buries Bruins
After trading goals with Providence all game long, Charlotte used a late third-period tally to beat the Bruins, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon. Drayson Bowman scored twice, including the game winner, for the Checkers, who also had goals from Riley Nash and Jerome Samson. Justin Pogge was solid in the Checkers’ goal, stopping 23 of 26 shots. Trent Whitfield notched two goals for Providence, while Joe Colborne netted the Bruins’ other goal.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Tue., Feb 8 vs. Providence Bruins, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb 12 vs. Albany Devils, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb 13 vs. Albany Devils, 3 p.m.
A LOOK AHEAD
Tuesday vs. Providence Bruins, 7 p.m.
Watch/Listen: AHLLive.com, WBCN 1660AM
Promotion: Wet Your Whistle Weekday, $3 12oz. Bud Lights
The Checkers finish their two-game series with the Bruins on Tuesday night. Charlotte is 2-0-0 against Providence this season and Tuesday’s contest will be the last at Time Warner Cable Arena. The teams will meet once more at Dunkin’ Donuts Center on March 4.
Saturday vs. Albany Devils, 7 p.m.
Watch/Listen: TWC Channel 520, AHLLive.com
Promotion: Free Checkers T-shirt to first 3,000 fans
Sunday vs. Albany Devils, 3 p.m.
Watch/Listen: AHLLive.com, WBCN 1660AM
Promotion: Team posters to first 2,500 fans, Post-game Skate with the Team
The Checkers play the first two games of a three-game series against their division rivals, the Albany Devils, on Saturday and Sunday. This will be Albany’s only visit to Charlotte this season, after the squads split two games at Times Union Center earlier this year. Goaltending was the key in both prior meetings as Jeff Frazee made 25 saves on 26 shots to backstop the Devils to a 2-1 win on Oct. 20, while Pogge turned aside 37 of 39 in a 4-2 win for the Checkers on Jan. 7.
NOTABLES
* Drayson Bowman recorded his first two-goal game as a pro on Sunday.
* Matt Pistilli played in his 100th pro game Sunday.
* Justin Pogge played in his 200th pro game Sunday, notching his 99th AHL win.
* Jon Matsumoto played in his 300th pro game Sunday.
* Brad Herauf played in his 400th pro game Thursday.
* Jerome Samson has seven points (4g, 3a) in his last five games and ranks third in the AHL with 25 goals.
* The Checkers have the fifth best PP (19.6) and second best PK (85.3) in the Eastern Conference.
* Charlotte leads the AHL with 179 goals (3.51/game).
* Zac Dalpe ranks second among AHL rookies with 35 points despite playing only 33 games.
LEADERS
Goals: Samson (25)
Assists: Osala (28)
Points: Samson (50)
PIM: FitzGerald (147)
Plus/Minus: Carson (+12)
Wins: Pogge (15)
GAA: Murphy (3.01)
Save %: Pogge (.910)
