December 12, 2011 11:49 AM
Overall record: 15-10-2 (Home 9-3-1 | Road 6-7-1)
Last week’s record: 0-3-0 | Last 10 games: 6-4-0
Standings: 1st Midwest Division | 3rd Western Conference
 The Checkers slumped to three consecutive losses last week for just the second time in the club’s two-year history, having dropped a home decision to Lake Erie on Monday before losing both games of a two-game trip through Texas and San Antonio.
Despite losing a bit of ground in the standings, the Checkers still hold the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed by way of their one-point Midwest Division lead over Milwaukee. They will have an excellent chance to get back on track as they play their next four games at Time Warner Cable Arena, two apiece against Chicago and Oklahoma City, leading up to a nine-day break in the schedule that begins on Dec. 21.
Lake Erie 3, Charlotte 1 - Recap
The Checkers concluded a cluster of three games in three nights with a 3-1 loss to Lake Erie on Monday that also wrapped up the team’s six-game home stand. The Monsters’ Greg Mauldin broke a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal late in the third period before Tyson Barrie added an empty-net goal that sealed the Monsters’ run of three unanswered goals. Jerome Samson opened the scoring for the Checkers with his 10th goal of the season, with Justin Peters making 34 saves in goal.
Texas 3, Charlotte 0 – Recap
Stars goalie Tyler Beskorowany became the second goaltender to shut out the Checkers this season, making 29 saves to help his team beat Charlotte for the second time in as many meetings. The Checkers allowed a shorthanded goal for the third time in their last four games, this time to Texas’ Colton Sceviour, which would prove to be the game winner late in the first period. Matt Fraser and Hubert Labrie also scored against the Checkers’ Justin Peters, who finished with 22 saves.
San Antonio 4, Charlotte 1 – Recap
Jared Staal ended the Checkers’ team-record goal drought at 163 minutes with the first power-play goal of his AHL career, preventing Charlotte from being shut out for the second consecutive game with just 32 seconds to spare. Rampage goalie Jacob Markstrom made 44 saves as his team jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead and never looked back en route to a 4-1 win, sending Charlotte to its third consecutive defeat.
 • A RARE SLUMP: Last week marked the Checkers’ second losing streak of three or more games and first since dropping four in a row from Oct. 11-20, 2010 – a stretch that began with the third game in the team’s history. Previously, the Checkers had only experienced one two-game losing streak this season, dropping games in Houston on Oct. 30 and in Milwaukee on Nov. 4. They had gone on four winning streaks of two or more games, including a team-record five-game winning streak to close the month of November. Their current three-game run is tied for the longest active losing streak in the AHL.
• DROUGHT OVER: The Checkers ended a team-record goal drought that lasted 163 minutes and 31 seconds on Sunday when Jared Staal broke San Antonio goalie Jacob Markstrom’s shutout bid with just 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Staal’s goal, the first power-play point of his AHL career, was the Checkers’ first tally since Jerome Samson scored at the 15:57 mark of the first period to open the scoring in the team’s 3-1 loss to Lake Erie on Dec. 5. Previously, the team’s longest goal drought lasted 91:34 from March 4-6, 2011.
• DIVISIONAL DOMINANCE: Charlotte has earned 13 out of a possible 16 points (6-1-1) against Midwest Division opponents this season, marking the best percentage of any team against its own division this season. Rounding out the four divisions they’ve faced, the Checkers have winning records against the East (2-1-1) and North (2-1-0), but have posted a 5-7-0 mark against the West.
• HOME AND AWAY: Charlotte is tied with Manchester and Rochester for the most points earned at home (19). With a record of 9-3-1 this season, the AHL Checkers have improved to 31-16-5 all-time at Time Warner Cable Arena. However, back-to-back losses on their recent two-game road trip have put the Checkers below the .500 mark on the road with a season record of 6-7-1.
• SHORTIES EVERYWHERE: The Checkers have experienced a rare run of shorthanded goals, at one point scoring two and allowing three during a four-game span from Dec. 3-9. For the season, they now rank tied for second in the league with four shorthanded goals scored while tying for the second-most shorthanded goals allowed with four. Defenseman Mathieu Roy has factored in on three of the Checkers’ shorthanded goals scored (1g, 2a), tying him for the league lead in shorthanded points.
• MATSUMUTO ON CAREER PACE: Checkers scoring leader Jon Matsumoto ranks tied for 14th in AHL scoring with 24 points (10g, 14a) in 27 games this season. He is tied with Jerome Samson for the team lead in goals and trails Chris Terry by one for the team lead in assists. He also ranks tied for second on the team with a +5 plus/minus rating. Now in his fifth AHL season, Matsumoto is on pace for 67 points, which would top his previous career high, set during the 2008-09 season with Philadelphia, by 4.
• SAMSON'S SHOTS: Charlotte forward Jerome Samson is the AHL’s leader in shots on goal once again with 117 – six more than Hershey’s Chris Bourque. He has recorded five or more shots in 14 of his 26 games this season, including a season-high nine on Oct. 30. Five of Samson’s 10 goals, which tie Jon Matsumoto for the team lead, have come on the power play.
| CATEGORY |
RECORD |
AHL RANK |
LAST WEEK |
| Power play: |
17.8% |
15th |
16th |
| Penalty kill: |
81.6% |
20th |
17th |
| Goals per game: |
2.74 |
19th |
18th |
| Shots per game: |
31.8 |
7th |
9th |
| Goals allowed per game: |
2.63 |
7th |
5th |
| Shots allowed per game: |
31.6 |
19th |
21st |
| Penalty minutes per game: |
14.5 |
5th (fewest) |
5th |
| CATEGORY |
LEADER(S) |
| Points: |
Jon Matsumoto (24), Jerome Samson (21), Chris Terry (20) |
| Goals: |
Jon Matsumoto, Jerome Samson (10), Drayson Bowman (8) |
| Assists: |
Chris Terry (15), Jon Matsumoto (14), Jerome Samson (11) |
| Power play goals: |
Jerome Samson (5) |
| Shorthanded goals: |
Drayson Bowman, Mathieu Roy, Brett Sutter, Chris Terry (1) |
| Game-winning goals: |
Jon Matsumoto, Matthew Pistilli, Jerome Samson (2) |
| Shots on goal: |
Jerome Samson (117), Drayson Bowman (70), Chris Terry (64) |
| Penalty minutes: |
Nicolas Blanchard (53), Justin Soryal (51), Chris Terry (37) |
| Plus/minus: |
Drayson Bowman, Justin Krueger (+6) |
| Wins: |
Mike Murphy (9), Justin Peters (6) |
| Goals-against average: |
Mike Murphy (2.44), Justin Peters (2.49) |
| Save percentage: |
Mike Murphy (.922), Justin Peters (.920) |
• Dec. 11 - (F) Drayson Bowman recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte
• Dec. 8 – (F) Justin Shugg reassigned to Florida (ECHL) from Charlotte
• Dec. 7 – (F) Mike McKenzie mutually released from SPC by Charlotte
• Dec. 7 – (G) John Muse recalled by Charlotte from Florida (ECHL)
• Dec. 6 – (G) Mike Murphy recalled to Carolina (NHL) from Charlotte
Thurdsay, Dec. 15 vs. Chicago (7 p.m.)
• Harris Teeter VIC Card Thursday
Show Your Harris Teeter VIC Card at the box office and receive $5 off any seat.
• College Night
College students get 50 percent off tickets. Click here to purchase.
• Rock Night
Themed night will feature special appearances from 106.5 The End personalities. Fans are encouraged to wear rock-themed clothing and should be prepared to “rock out.”
• Wet Your Whistle Weekday
12 oz. Bud Lights for $3.50
Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Chicago (7 p.m.)
• Black Friday Presented by Amtrak
The Checkers will wear special black jerseys, with fans encouraged to wear black themselves. Jerseys will be auctioned April 6.
Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. Oklahoma City (6 p.m.)
• Arts for Life Art Supply Drive
Bring art supplies or toys to the game and receive a complimentary ticket to an upcoming game courtesy of Presbyterian Hospital. Approvied items include Play Doh and accessories, Model Magic, markers, glue sticks, white card stock, colored card stock, watercolor paper, paint, scissors, yarn, knitting needles, origami paper, jewelry supplies, beads, string, Gel FX markers and colored pencils.
• Coke Family Four Pack
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 20 vs. Oklahoma City (7 p.m.)
• Cheesy Holiday Sweater Night
• 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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