November 28, 2011 1:19 PM
Overall record: 13-6-2 (Home 7-1-1 | Road 6-5-1)
Last week’s record: 3-0-0 | Last 10 games: 7-2-1
Standings: 1st Midwest Division | 2nd Western Conference
 The Checkers won all three of their games last week, picking up a road win in Norfolk on Wednesday before completing a weekend sweep of the Milwaukee Admirals.
After Sunday’s 5-1 win over divisional opponent Milwaukee, the Checkers’ largest margin of victory this season and fourth consecutive win overall, Charlotte now finds itself with a six-point lead in the Midwest.
The Checkers will continue their six-game home stand with their first ever meeting with the Texas Stars on Wednesday before beginning a three-in-three set against Texas (Saturday) and Lake Erie (Sunday and Monday).
Charlotte 6, Norfolk 3 – Recap
The Checkers scored three unanswered goals in the third period to break a 3-3 tie with regional rival Norfolk and claim a one-point lead in the GEICO Challenge Cup standings on Wednesday. Jerome Samson (2g, 1a), Riley Nash (1g, 2a) and Chris Terry (0g, 3a) all enjoyed three-point nights for the Checkers, who received 34 saves from goalie Justin Peters.
Charlotte 3, Milwaukee 2 – Recap
Zach Boychuk scored two goals in his second game back following a one-month NHL stint with the Hurricanes to help the Checkers end Milwaukee’s AHL-record road point streak at 23 games on Saturday. Chris Terry recorded Charlotte’s other goal to break an eight-game drought while Mike Murphy made 28 saves to record his first win since Nov. 6.
Charlotte 5, Milwaukee 1 – Recap
Matt Pistilli recorded a career-high three points, including two first-period goals, as the Checkers swept their weekend season against the visiting Milwaukee Admirals with a 5-1 win on Sunday. Rookie Justin Shugg recorded his first AHL multi-point game (1g, 1a), with Chris Terry and Drayson Bowman also finding the back of the net to help the Checkers record their largest margin of victory this season. Justin Peters made 31 saves to improve to 5-1-1 during the month of November.
 • Despite having played fewer home games than all but nine other teams, the Checkers’ 15 points earned at home rank second in the AHL, narrowly trailing Rochester’s 17. Charlotte has earned points in six consecutive home games, including three straight wins, to post the second-longest active home point streak in the AHL. The Checkers are now 7-1-1 at home this season.
• The Checkers scored five goals on 18 opportunities last week, improving their power-play percentage to 20.4 for the season. They scored on the man advantage in all three of their games, including a season-high three goals during Wednesday's win in Norfolk. Charlotte now ranks fifth in the AHL on the man advantage - eight spots higher than this time last week.
• Checkers forwards Jon Matsumoto and Jerome Samson, who have exchanged bragging rights as the team’s scoring leader several times this season, currently find themselves tied with 20 points through 21 games played. Both players, who are currently among a group of nine players tied for 10th in AHL scoring, have been producing lately, with Samson recording six points and Matsumoto five over the Checkers’ last four games. Samson is the AHL’s leader in shots on goal once again with 94 – 11 more than any other player.
• With points in each of his last seven games (2g, 8a), forward Chris Terry is currently in a three-way tie for the longest active point streak in the AHL and has matched the longest by any Checkers player this season (Jerome Samson – Oct. 23-Nov. 6). His streak also matches a career high that he’s achieved twice, most recently between Nov. 2-11, 2010. Having led the Checkers in goal scoring last season with 34, Terry now leads the team in assists, having posted 13 through 19 games.
• Despite playing in just 10 of the Checkers’ 21 games, forward Zach Boychuk ranks tied for third on the team in goal scoring with six. Five of Boychuk’s goals have come at home, including two separate two-goal efforts. Boychuk’s goals have come on just 19 shots, giving him a shooting percentage of 31.6 percent that ranks fifth in the AHL.
• Since returning from injury on Nov. 5, Checkers goaltender Justin Peters has posted a record of 5-1-1 with a .949 save percentage and 1.63 goals-against average. His season totals of .932 and 2.22 are good enough to rank him fourth and sixth, respectively. Since giving up a total nine goals in his first two games, Peters allowed just 12 goals over his next eight. Fellow goaltender Mike Murphy also ranks among the league leaders with a .924 save percentage (t-12th) and 2.43 goals-against average (t-15th), helping the Checkers post the league’s third-stingiest defense despite allowing more shots than all but six other teams.
• Having factored in on both of the Checkers’ shorthanded goals this season, defenseman Mathieu Roy leads all AHL defenseman in shorthanded points with two (1g, 1a). The veteran blueliner, who is tied for the lead among all team defensemen with a plus-4 plus/minus rating, is the only Checkers player to have recorded a goal in both special teams situations.
| CATEGORY |
RECORD |
AHL RANK |
LAST WEEK |
| Power play: |
20.4% |
5th |
13th |
| Penalty kill: |
81.4% |
18th |
16th |
| Goals per game: |
3.00 |
t-14th |
21st |
| Shots per game: |
31.8 |
7th |
7th |
| Goals allowed per game: |
2.48 |
3rd |
6th |
| Shots allowed per game: |
32.4 |
24th |
24th |
| Penalty minutes per game: |
14.8 |
7th (fewest) |
10th |
| CATEGORY |
LEADER(S) |
| Points: |
Jerome Samson, Jon Matsumoto (20), Chris Terry (17) |
| Goals: |
Jerome Samson (9), Jon Matsumoto (8) |
| Assists: |
Chris Terry (13), Jon Matsumoto (12), Jerome Samson (11) |
| Power play goals: |
Jerome Samson (5), Drayson Bowman, Zach Boychuk (3) |
| Shorthanded goals: |
Brett Sutter, Mathieu Roy (1) |
| Game-winning goals: |
Matthew Pistilli, Jerome Samson (2) |
| Shots on goal: |
Jerome Samson (94), Drayson Bowman (52), Chris Terry (51) |
| Penalty minutes: |
Justin Soryal (45), Nicolas Blanchard (35), Chris Terry (33) |
| Plus/minus: |
Drayson Bowman, Jon Matsumoto (+8) |
| Wins: |
Mike Murphy (7), Justin Peters (6) |
| Goals-against average: |
Justin Peters (2.17), Mike Murphy (2.43) |
| Save percentage: |
Justin Peters (.932), Mike Murphy (.924) |
• Nov. 21 - (C) Zac Dalpe reassigned to Charlotte from Carolina (NHL)
• Nov. 21 - (LW) Zach Boychuk reassigned to Charlotte from Carolina (NHL)
• Nov. 21 - (C) Brett Sutter recalled by Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte
Wednesday, Nov. 30 vs Texas (7 p.m.)
• Wet Your Whistle Weekday
12 oz. Bud Lights for $3.50
• Movember
The Checkers are offering a special discounted $15 ticket to any home game in November, with $6 being donated back to Movember. To take advantage of the offer, please click here and use the promo code “Movember.”
Saturday, Dec. 3 vs. Texas (7 p.m.)
• Horizon Eye Care Night
The first 2,500 fans to arrive will recieve a foam hockey stick courtesy of Horizon Eye Care.
• Goodwill Fashion Show and Collection Night
Bring in any new or like-new clothing items to donate to Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont and receive a complimentary ticket to an upcoming game.
Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Lake Erie (5 p.m.)
• Teddy Bear Toss Night
Bring a new, wrapped Teddy Bear to the game and throw it on the ice following the Checkers’ first goal. Teddy Bears will be collected and delivered by players to the Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital during the holidays.
• Coke Family Four Packs
4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Cokes and a Coke coupon for $60. Click here to buy online.
• Family Day Presented by North Carolina Zoo Asheboro
Zoo coupons will be handed out following each Sunday home game. Check out gocheckers.com/zoo for more information and a look at the Checkers' monthly transactions.
Monday, Dec. 5 vs. Lake Erie (7 p.m.)
• Wet Your Whistle Weekday
12 oz. Bud Lights for $3.50
Start your week off with a cup of Magnolia Coffee, the official coffee of the Checkers. For more information, visit their website, call Magnolia Coffee at 704-654-5393 or email jay@magnoliacoffeeco.com.
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