Game 64 Preview: San Antonio Rampage at Charlotte Checkers

After a stretch of seven wins in eight games brought the Checkers to within four points of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Charlotte has hit a bit of a bump with back-to-back losses. Luckily for the Checkers, Rockford – who currently holds that final spot – hasn’t been able to stretch its points lead past four.

Tonight (and Sunday) the Checkers will play host to the San Antonio Rampage, who ranks last in the West Division with 59 points. 

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m.

TV/Radio info: Video TWC CH. 521 / Audio 730 AM Charlotte

Records: Checkers 31-29-1-2, Rampage 25-28-3-6

Projected Checkers lineup:

Chris Terry-Brett Sutter-Justin Shugg
Zach Boychuk-Sean Dolan-Aaron Palushaj
Philippe Cornet-Brody Sutter-Nicolas Blanchard
Matt Marquardt-Victor Rask-Jared Staal

Michal Jordan-Danny Biega
Keegan Lowe-Mark Flood
Rasmus Rissanen-Matt Corrente

John Muse
Mike Murphy

Healthy scratches: Dennis Robertson (newly signed)

Injured: Greg Nemisz, Brandon Woods

Storylines:

Chris Terry (4 goals, 2 assists) and Brett Sutter (4g, 4a) both have five-game point streaks. … Terry’s 57 points (24g, 33a) this season rank sixth in the AHL, while his teammate, Zach Boychuk, ranks eighth with 56 points (28g, 28a). … Another Checker to watch is center Sean Dolan, who has four goals and four assists this month after entering February with just six points (1g, 5a) overall. … On Thursday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced the signing of former Brown University defenseman Dennis Robertson, 22. His rights were acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the trade involving John-Michael Liles and Tim Gleason in January. Robertson scored 70 points (17g, 53a) and recorded 267 penalty minutes in 128 games with Brown. Although his status is uncertain at the moment, the Checkers didn’t rule out the possibility that the 2011 sixth-round pick could see the ice this weekend. … San Antonio center Vincent Trocheck is 11th in the AHL in scoring among rookies with 41 points (16g, 25a). … The Rampage is 2-7-0-1 in its past 10 games. … Forwards Brandon Woods and Greg Nemisz are not expected to play due to injuries.

Standings Update:

source: www.theahl.com