Weekly Report: Oct. 5

The Checkers kicked off the 2026-27 season in Hershey and came away with a series split against their division rivals.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Checkers 5, Bears 2

The Checkers put on a show in game one thanks to an offensive explosion from Nate Smith. The forward racked up a hat trick, with his third tally giving Charlotte the lead midway through the third. Jack Devine would extend that lead shortly after and Will Bitten tacked on a late empty netter, while Cooper Black turned aside 30 shots to seal the victory.

Bears 3, Checkers 2

The Bears punched back in the following day’s rematch, posting two goals late in the first period to claim a lead that held until midway through the third. Johnny Beecher put the visitors on the board with a slick wraparound, but the Bears responded less than two minutes later to push their advantage back to two goals. Jack Devine then converted on a power play with under five to play and the Checkers pushed hard down the stretch for the equalizer but couldn’t quite pull even before the final horn sealed the 3-2 defeat.

QUICK HITS

LIGHTING THE LAMP

Nate Smith scored each of Charlotte’s first three goals of the season, clinching the first hat trick of his pro career and the first by a Checker since Sandis Vilmanis in April of last season. Smith wasn’t the only one to show off his scoring prowess over the weekend, though. Jack Devine redirected an Angus Crookshank shot to give the Checkers some breathing room in Saturday’s win, then hammered a one-timer on the man advantage late in Sunday’s rematch - making him the only Checker to score in both contests this year.

KILLING IT

Charlotte’s perennially strong penalty kill is off to another strong start. After finishing last season as the number-one unit in the league, the Checkers successfully killed all eight times they were shorthanded against the Bears - including going a perfect 6-for-6 on the kill in Sunday’s game alone.

COOPER IN THE CREASE

Cooper Black took the crease in the season opener and stood tall, stopping 30 of the 32 shots that he faced and earning the win. Black, who is heading into his third full campaign as a pro, hit the 30-save mark five times last season. He carried the bulk of the workload for Charlotte in 2025-26 - tying for eighth in the AHL in games played with 42 - but unlike last season when he started each of the first 10 games, the Checkers turned to rookie Tyler Muszelik for game two in Hershey.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Nate Smith showed off some hand-eye coordination to complete the first hat trick of his career!

🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢 https://t.co/N2rkxkn2eX

— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) October 4, 2026

Transactions

Incoming

• None

Outgoing

• 10/3 - Sam Lafferty - Recalled by Florida (NHL)
• 10/3 - Alex Petrovic - Recalled by Florida (NHL)

By the Numbers

CATEGORY	RECORD	AHL RANK
Power play	25.0%	t-9th
Penalty kill	100.0%	t-1st
Goals per game	3.50	t-9th
Shots per game	29.00	t-15th
Goals allowed per game	2.50	t-11th
Shots allowed per game	27.50	t-11th
Penalty minutes per game	18.00	8th

LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER(S)
Points	Nate Smith (3), Jack Devine (2), 10 tied (1)
Goals	Nate Smith (3), Jack Devine (2), Johnny Beecher, Will Bitten (1)
Assists	Eight tied (1)
Power play goals	Jack Devine (1)
Shorthanded goals	None
Game-winning goals	Nate Smith (1)
Shots on goal	Nate Smith, Jack Devine, Will Bitten (6)
Penalty minutes	Casey Fitzgerald (16), Donovan Sebrango (8), Angus Crookshank (4)
Plus/minus	Tobias Bjornfot (+3), Johnny Beecher, Will Bitten (+2)
Wins	Cooper Black (1)
Goals-against average	Cooper Black (2.00)
Save percentage	Cooper Black(.938)

LOOKING AHEAD

Oct. 10 & 11 - On The Road

The Checkers continue their season-opening road trip as they visit Providence on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Springfield on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Both games are available to stream via AHLTV on FloHockey here. The radio broadcast is also available on the Checkers App or online.

Oct. 16 & 17

The Checkers return to Bojangles Coliseum for Opening Night presented by Novant Health on Oct. 16. Individual tickets and a $55 tickets & Seeing Red shirt package are available now. The team will also be giving away magnet schedules courtesy of Novant Health to fans entering the building while supplies last.

Saturday's game is the annual My First Checkers Game promotion, which features $5 kids tickets. It is also Book Club Night, for which fans can add on a special-edition mug and pregame drink ticket for $25 to their ticket purchase. Additionally college students and teachers and school employees can get discounted tickets with valid email addresses.