The Charlotte Checkers are back in the Calder Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year. This is a much different team from last year’s squad that fell in the first round to Chicago, with additional prospects joining the ranks, and the addition of Checkers head coach to the job duties of Hurricanes assistant GM Mike Vellucci has paid dividends. A seven-win improvement from last season and late-season momentum has the Checkers in a great position to make a stretch run, but their first challenge stands in their way: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Charlotte won three of four match-ups between the teams this season, outscoring the Penguins 12-9.