Checkers Square Off Against Lehigh Valley in Second Round

After sweeping the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in three games in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Charlotte Checkers move on to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The best-of-seven series between the two Atlantic Division opponents opens Friday night in Lehigh Valley. Charlotte will host Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and, if necessary, Game 5 on Saturday night.
The Checkers finished the regular season with seven consecutive wins before rattling off three straight victories against the Penguins by a combined score of 14-6 in the first round of the playoffs. The Checkers bring what is now a 10-game winning streak into their second-round match-up against the Atlantic Division's top team.

The Checkers and Phantoms split their eight-game season series in 2017-18. Both teams logged 4-4-0 records, including marks of 3-1-0 on home ice. The Checkers defeated Lehigh Valley on consecutive nights in early April, outscoring the Phantoms 9-2 in those two games to wrap up the season series.
This second-round match-up will feature two of the most potent offenses in the AHL. The Checkers finished atop the league in the regular season with a 3.45 goals-per-game average, while the Phantoms averaged 3.42 goals per game. Lehigh Valley's offense is led by league MVP Phil Varone, who totaled 70 points (23g, 47a) in 74 games. He recorded six points (1g, 5) in seven games against Charlotte in the regular season.

Greg McKegg has notched 28 points (10g, 18a) in 22 games since joining the Checkers at the NHL trade deadline. He leads the team in playoff points with five (1g, 4a) in three games. Haydn Fleury logged two goals and two assists (four points) in three first-round games with Charlotte.
The second-round series will shift to Charlotte after Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Game 3, set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, at Bojangles' Coliseum features $1 hot dogs. Game 4, which faces off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, boasts $1 beer. If necessary, Game 5 is slated for 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, and the Checkers are offering 40 percent off groups of four tickets with their Family Pack ticket deal. To purchase playoff tickets or learn more about Games 3-5 in Charlotte,
click here
.