Lynx GameNight

Charlotte Checkers at Augusta Lynx

When: Friday, 7:35 p.m.

Where: Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center

Radio: WKSP-FM 96.3

Webcast: www.sportsjuice.com

Tickets: Call (706) 724-TICK for details

All-time series: The Lynx are 15-4-0 vs. Charlotte

SCOUTING THE LYNX

COACH: Jim Burton

RECORD: 3-7-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Forward Kevin Brown (1 goal-4 assists-5 points) looks to break out of an early scoring slump after finishing 20th in the AHL in scoring last year. ... Goalie Colin Zulianello, who was 18-11-1 with a .910 save percentage for Mississippi last season, is expected to make his first start.

SCOUTING THE CHECKERS

COACH: Don MacAdam

RECORD: 3-5-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rookie forward Takahito Suzuki (7-5-12) notched a hat trick in his first game, becoming the first Japanese player in ECHL history to score a goal. ... Former NHL forward Allan Egeland (3-5-8) is second on the team in scoring.

NEWS AND NOTES

OUT THE DOOR: Defenseman Likit Andersson returned to his native Sweden on Friday, ending a career with the Lynx that spanned the past four seasons.

Earlier in the week, Andersson asked out of practice twice because of a sore groin, but he was told by assistant coach David Wilkie to either skate with the team Wednesday or go home. Andersson then stormed out of the Augusta Ice Sports Center.

Andersson later met with Lynx owner Peter Gillespie to discuss the rift as well as another situation that coach Burton called a "personal domestic issue."

Late Thursday night, Andersson told Burton he was returning to Sweden, having already purchased a plane ticket more than a week earlier.

Burton said the Lynx were trying to trade Andersson. The defenseman was suspended, meaning he can't sign with another club.

"I'm sure Likit has his reasons why he left this hockey club, but it's been pretty obvious this season that his mind wasn't on hockey," Burton said.

CAPTAIN CAVEMAN: Lynx veteran Jim Shepherd, who earned the nickname "Caveman" during his days with the Richmond Renegades, was named the fourth captain in team history Thursday in a vote by the players.

The Lynx began the season with three assistant captains - Kevin Brown, Darryl Laplante and Jay Leach. Brown relinquished his assistant captaincy, while Laplante and Leach will retain their roles as assistants.

"Obviously the guys think a lot of Jimmy Shepherd," Wilkie said. "I think it's a good choice."

ONE-TIMERS: With the Lynx down to just four defensemen with the loss of Andersson and Garry Toor's knee injury, forward Tyson Holly will shift to the blueline if he is able to play tonight. Holly suffered a deep hip bruise after blocking a shot last Friday night in Pee Dee. "It's definitely not 100 percent, but I'm going to try and play Friday," Holly said. "I want to do anything I can to help the team." ... With Colin Zulianello scheduled to come off injured reserve and make his first start tonight, Burton said the Lynx would clear a roster spot by placing either goalie Josh Blackburn or Geoff Faulkner on injured reserve. Burton added that he wants to keep Faulkner rather than release him to Macon of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.

- Rob Mueller