Game Preview

Jan 26, 2018

Game Day Info:

Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Charlotte Checkers

Puck Drop: Friday, Jan. 26 at 7:15 p.m.

Game Preview:

This is the first get-together between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Charlotte Checkers since the season’s opening night, October 6, when Charlotte nipped the Wolf Pack 5-4 at the XL Center. That was the first time the two teams had seen each other since the Checkers’ inaugural season in the AHL, 2010-11.

The Checkers (24-17-0-1, 49 pts., .583) have won three of their last four games, with their last result coming in the form of a 5-4 overtime win on Sundayagainst the Rochester Americans. The team sits in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, behind the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Providence Bruins, respectively.

Last Time Out:

On Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack played to a 4-3 overtime win against the Utica Comets in New York. Cole Schneider scored his 8th and 9th goals of the season, including the game-winner in OT. Adam Chapie and Adam Tambellini also scored, while Lias Andersson picked up his first North American pro point with an assist on Schneider's goal in OT. Alexandar Georgiev got the starting nod in net, where he made 27 saves.

Thus far, the Pack are 18-20-3-3 on the season with a .477 win percentage, which places them sixth in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division with 42 points from 44 games played.

Players to Watch:

#28 Lias Andersson

Lias Andersson made his North American pro debut on Wednesday night, where he registered one assist against the Utica Comets. The forward skated in 22 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season, registering seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He also helped Sweden win a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, as he recorded seven points (six goals, one assist) in seven games during the tournament. Andersson was drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected seventh overall.

#25 Valentin Zykov

Valentin Zykov leads the Checkers in goals, with 21, and is third in points, with 31. The Russia native is in his second consecutive season with the Charlotte Checkers, and has nearly already surpassed his point total last season, where he produced 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points. The winger was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, where he was taken 37th overall by the Los Angeles Kings.

Coming Up Next:

The Pack will be back home at the XL Center tomorrow night as the back-to-back set against the Checkers continues. Saturday will be Stick it to Cancer Night, presented by Jefferson Radiology. For tickets and information, visit the Hartford Wolf Pack ticketing site or call 866-762-6451.

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