The Checkers remained within one late, but fell 6-2 to the Bruins in Providence.
Charlotte got an early jump when Robert Mastrosimone cashed in on a power play just 1:35 into the contest for his first goal of the season. Providence responded shortly after with an unassisted tally from Brendan Gaunce, then took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first when Mikey Eyssimont found the back of the net.
The Bruins carried that momentum into the second, as Lukas Reichel struck just 11 seconds in to stretch their lead to two. Charlotte’s penalty kill kept Providence from adding to its advantage through four power plays in the period, including a late double minor, and the visitors found a spark just before the intermission. With two seconds remaining, Nate Bastian buried the puck in his Checkers debut, assisted by Mastrosimone, to bring Charlotte back within one.
That margin held for much of the third before Providence pulled away late. Eyssimont netted his second goal of the game with less than four minutes remaining, and netminder Simon Zajíček was credited with a goal 38 seconds later. Eyssimont then completed his hat trick with an empty-netter, capping a three-goal burst in just 62 seconds.
Cooper Black finished with 28 saves, while Zajíček stopped 30 of Charlotte’s 32 shots on goal.
