Charlotte Bounces Back against Crunch
Published on February 21, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Charlotte Checkers (29-17-3-0) scored three goals in the third period, squeezing out a 4-3 victory over the Syracuse Crunch (30-17-3-1) on Saturday night at Upstate Medical University Arena.
Nate Smith scored his seventh goal of the season to kick things off for Charlotte at 12:07 of the first period. Jack Studnicka stole the puck at the right-wing half-boards and centered it to the slot, where Smith was wide open.
Smith fired a shot over the left arm of Crunch netminder Ryan Fanti, giving the Checkers their first lead against Syracuse this weekend.
In the second period, Matteo Pietronio answered back for Syracuse at 8:00. Kirill Gerasimyuk stopped Ethan Gauthier on a penalty shot at 10:21, keeping the game tied heading into the final period.
MacKenzie Entwistle restored the lead for Charlotte in the third, notching his fourth goal of the season at 6:11. Robert Mastrosimone joined the scoring at 12:57, doubling the Checkers' advantage to 3-1 with a tremendous individual effort.
Dylan Duke recorded his AHL-leading 15th power-play goal for the Crunch at 14:31, but Smith found the empty net at 18:18 to cap off a solid performance from the visitors.
Lucas Mercuri scored at 19:20 for Syracuse. Gerasimyuk stopped 28 saves on 31 shots, logging his sixth win of the season. Charlotte is 2-1 on their current ten-game road trip and will be back in action on Wednesday night in Bridgeport to take on the Islanders.
NOTES
Mitch Vande Sompel returned to the lineup after missing one game due to injury ... Kai Schwindt appeared for the Checkers for the first time since January 17 ... Entwistle has three points in his last four games ... Smith has five points in his last four games ... Mastrosimone has matched his goal total from last season with Toronto (50 games played) in 27 games with Charlotte this year ... Jack Devine, Trevor Carrick, Mitch Vande Sompel, Colton Huard, Hunter St. Martin, Gracyn Sawchyn, Marek Alscher, Brett Chorske and Louis Domingue were scratched for Charlotte.
American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2026
- Barracuda Earn Point in 4-3 OT Loss to Wranglers - San Jose Barracuda
- But Scores in Return, Roadrunners Fall, 4-2, to Reign - Tucson Roadrunners
- Reign Down Roadrunners, 4-2 - Ontario Reign
- Colorado Bounces Back with 6-3 Victory over Firebirds - Colorado Eagles
- The Canucks Fall, 4-3, to the Henderson Silver Knights - Abbotsford Canucks
- Griffins Claim Best Start in AHL History Through 50 Games in Win over Admirals - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Gulls Down IceHogs, 5-4 - San Diego Gulls
- Firebirds Split Weekend Series with Eagles - Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Ads Battle Back for Point in OT Loss - Milwaukee Admirals
- Texas Drops High-Scoring Affair in Chicago - Texas Stars
- Comeback Falls Short for Bears in 6-4 Loss to Phantoms - Hershey Bears
- Belleville Blanked, 4-0, in Road Finale against Hartford - Belleville Senators
- Wolves Rally Twice to Shoot Down Stars 5-4 - Chicago Wolves
- Wolf Pack Blank Senators 4-0 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Bump Sparks Wild 6-4 Win at Hershey - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Penguins Take Down Islanders, 4-3 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Winning Streak Ends in P-Bruins Loss to Thunderbirds - Providence Bruins
- Comets Drop Defensive Battle to Rocket, 2-1 in Shootout - Utica Comets
- 'Topes Remain Unbeaten, Freeze out Bruins' Win Streak - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Isles Drop Road Contest to Penguins, 4-3 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Syracuse Crunch Fall to Charlotte Checkers, 4-3 - Syracuse Crunch
- Charlotte Bounces Back against Crunch - Charlotte Checkers
- Moose Drop Overtime Decision to Iowa - Manitoba Moose
- Lambos Scores Overtime Winner in 3-2 Victory over Manitoba - Iowa Wild
- Preview: Phantoms at Hershey, Game 49 - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Penguins Recall Scooter Brickey and Nolan Renwick - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Flyers Recall Ginning and Kolosov - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Utah Mammoth Recall Perunovich and Connauton - Tucson Roadrunners
- Start Time for Penguins' February 22 Away Game Changed - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Tomorrow's Islanders Home Game vs. Penguins Moved to 3:00 PM - Bridgeport Islanders
- Syracuse Crunch Loan Forward Spencer Kersten to Orlando Solar Bears - Syracuse Crunch
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Phantoms, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Reign Preview - Ontario at Tucson - Ontario Reign
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
