Charlotte Checkers: Clinch Atlantic Division Championship

The Charlotte Checkers have clinched the Atlantic Division title, securing home-ice advantage in at least the first two rounds of the Calder Cup playoffs. Today, we take a look back at the Checkers’ journey to the playoffs.

The Charlotte Checkers were the first team in the American Hockey League to clinch a playoff spot; they punched their ticket to the Calder Cup playoffs on March 22nd. The Checkers have been to the playoffs in four out of their last eight seasons, having never advanced past the 3rd Round.

The Checkers have a very good opportunity to change that this season, as they have won the Atlantic Division Championship for the first time in franchise history.

The Charlotte Checkers have had a record-breaking season so far; their 46-14-8 record has afforded them a new franchise record for single-season points, currently at 100 with five games remaining in the season. The Checkers still have an opportunity to break even more records for the club if they are able to win the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league’s regular season champion.

The Charlotte Checkers have had great success this season, due in no small part to promising Carolina Hurricanes’ prospects such as Jake Bean, Andrew Poturalski, Martin Necas, and Alex Nedeljkovic.

Poturalski has turned in an almost point-per-game season, sitting at 23 goals and 45 assists in 71 games. Jake Bean has proven to be a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the ice as he is currently tied for 5th on the team with fellow blueliner Trevor Carrick in offensive production.

Alex Nedeljkovic has been in a class all his own this season. The young netminder has turned in an outrageous year so far; he currently boasts a .918% save percentage, and a 2.21 goals-against average.

On top of these phenomenal stats, Alex Nedeljkovic was named the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for March. Nedeljkovic went 6-2-1 while turning in two shutouts, a .945% save percentage, and a goals-against average of 1.46 throughout the month.

The Charlotte Checkers have the makings of what could be their first Calder Cup Championship; phenomenal goaltending, stout defense, as well as unprecedented offensive production has propelled the team to new heights this season.

The Carolina Hurricanes definitely have a bright future ahead with the roster currently playing in Charlotte. Hockey is alive again in Raleigh, and fans of both the Checkers and the Hurricanes have plenty to look forward to in the coming seasons.

Question for CC Readers: Which Charlotte Checkers player are you hoping to see called up to the Carolina Hurricanes roster for next season?