Bears extend point streak to seven with 4-3 shootout loss to checkers | Pro Hockey News

The Hershey Bears (18-14-3-1) picked up three of a possible four points this weekend, but fell 4-3 in the shootout to the Charlotte Checkers (22-12-3-0) at Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday night.

Hershey’s season series record improved to 2-1-0-1, while the Bears extended their season-high streak to seven games (4-0-2-1).

BOX SCORE

NOTES:

• Justin Nachbaur gave Hershey a 1-0 lead with his first career AHL goal just 56 seconds into the game when he punched his own mid-air rebound past Kirill Gerasimyuk. Grant Cruikshank provided the only assist on goal.
• The Checkers took a 2-1 lead in the second period as Trevor Carrick and Nolan Foote scored power-play goals after Charlotte was awarded a 5-on-3 lead.
• Graeme Clarke tied the score at 2-2 at 10:30 with his 10th of the season from Alex Suzdalev, and Cam Allen scored at 6:50 of the third period to put Hershey back in front.
• Michael Benning tied the game for Charlotte with 56 seconds left in regulation while Kirill Gerasimyuk looked for an extra skater.
• Charlotte sealed the victory when former Bear Brian Pinho scored in the fifth round of the shootout and Nicky Leivermann failed to extend the match for Hershey.

SHOTS: HER 19, CLT 40

OBJECTIVE: HER – Mitch Gibson, 36-for-39; CLT – Kirill Gerasimyuk, 16-for-19

POWER PLAY: HER – 0-for-4; CLT – 2-for-7

THEY SAID IT:

Bears head coach Derek King of the team picks up points despite injuries to the lineup and young defensemen seeing a significant increase in ice time:
“We fought, but I think we ran out of gas. We were a bit exhausted, had some broken bodies and illnesses, but I just liked the way we fought and it could have gone either way. It’s never easy [for the young guys] but it was a chance for them to show what they’ve got, and I thought they showed it well. We just don’t give up. We may have gone through a bad period or a bad period, but we have bounced back well and I like where our team is.”

(Answers edited for clarity)

The bears continue the 2025-2026 season presented by Penn State Health when they return home to host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. GIANT Center for Taco Tuesday, featuring a special taco offering at select locations throughout the concourse, paired with $5 Coronas. The game will also serve as one Hershey Park Pass night. All fans will receive a 2026 Hershey Park Ticket, valid for one day of access until June 30, 2026. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.

Related