Black dazzles in Grand Rapids, Checkers win fifth in a row | Pro Hockey News

Cooper Black put together a career-high 40 in his home state of Michigan to defeat the Grand Rapids Griffins (11-1-0-1), while the Checkers (9-4-1-0) earned a 2-1 win Friday night at Van Andel Arena. The Alpena, MI native earned his seventh win of the 2025-26 season as Charlotte extended their winning streak to five games.

Mike Benning notched his first goal of the season 1:28 into regulation time, sending a blast from the deep slot that rang off the left post and past Griffins goalkeeper Sebastian Cossa. Ben Steeves and Sandis Vilmanis recorded assists on Benning’s opener.

Colton Huard doubled Charlotte’s lead 9:34 into the second period, scoring his third goal of the season off a pass from Nolan Foote. Riese Gaber caused a turnover behind the Griffins’ net, releasing the puck for Foote in the far corner.

Tyler Angle scored the lone goal for Grand Rapids, eventually relieving Black 7:06 into the third period. Charlotte concludes their four-game road trip with a rematch against the Griffins in Grand Rapids on Saturday, November 22.

Coverage of the game can be found on the social media channels of Checkers, FloHockey and Mixlr.

NOTES

The loss ended Grand Rapids’ 12-game unbeaten streak in regular regulation, the longest to start the 2025–26 regular season in all of professional hockey. Benning extended his point streak to three games with his first-period goal… Black improved to 4-0 in his last four starts… Charlotte’s penalty kill was 6-for-6 while their power play was 0-for-1… Former Checkers forward John Leonard saw his 10-game point streak snapped… Ludvig Jansson, Kai Schwindt, Mitch Vande Sompel, Eamon Powell, Mikulas Hovorka, Liam McLinskey, Anton Lundmark, Tyler Motte and Jack Studnicka were cut for Charlotte.