Checkers Spook Phantoms with 8-5 Win
Published on January 23, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release
The Charlotte Checkers (22-12-3-0) extended their point streak to six games with an 8-5 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (19-15-2-2) on Friday night at PPL Center.
Charlotte's offense erupted with four first-period goals, taking a 4-2 lead over the Phantoms after the game's opening stanza. Mikulas Hovorka, Nolan Foote, Trevor Carrick and Brett Chorske lit the lamp for the Checkers, while Christian Kyrou and Anthony Richard scored for Lehigh Valley. Jack Devine provided an assist on Chorske's goal as his personal point streak extended to six games.
Carson Bjarnason (one save on four shots) started the game in net for Lehigh Valley, but was pulled at 11:50, sending Yaniv Perets into action.
Robert Mastrosimone scored in the second period; his seventh goal of the season was sandwiched by Karsen Dorwart's two goals for the Phantoms, which cut Charlotte's lead to 5-4 after 40 minutes. Mastrosimone, who assisted on Carrick's first-period goal, has eight points in his last five games and a five-game point streak.
In the third period, Mike Benning scored his sixth goal of the season at 8:32 to make it 6-4 in favor of the visitors. Alexi Gendron made it a one-score game for the Phantoms at 14:56, but Devine and Noah Gregor added empty-net goals in the game's final minutes.
Charlotte went 0-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill. Louis Domingue recorded his third victory of the season with 20 saves.
NOTES
Charlotte is 5-0-1 in their last six games ... Brian Pinho skated in his 400th AHL game on Friday ... Gregor made his Checkers debut on Friday, after appearing in 24 games (one goal, two assists) with the Florida Panthers this season ... Jack Studnicka dressed for Charlotte for the first time since November 29 against Toronto following his assignment from the Panthers earlier this week ... Carrick has scored in three straight games ... Foote has goals in two straight games, and has recorded 17 points in his last 16 appearances ... the Checkers improved to 2-0 in the 2025-26 season series against Lehigh Valley ... Domingue has won three straight contests ... Mitch Vande Sompel, Liam McLinskey, Eamon Powell, Colton Huard, Kai Schwindt, Ryan McAllister, Colton Huard, Kai Schwindt, Hunter St. Martin, Kirill Gerasimyuk and Gracyn Sawchyn were scratched for Charlotte.
American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2026
- Moose Downed by Griffins, 2-1 - Manitoba Moose
- Amerks Open Homestand with Shutout Win over Comets - Rochester Americans
- Barre-Boulet's Three-Point Night Lifts Colorado to 4-1 Win over Condors - Colorado Eagles
- Griffins' 17-Game Road Points Streak Sets AHL Record in Win over Moose - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Firebirds' Point Streak Extends to Seven in Overtime Loss to Reign - Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Condors' Unbeaten Run Ends to Colorado - Bakersfield Condors
- Phantoms Clipped in High-Scoring Affair - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Stars Blank IceHogs in Third Straight Win - Texas Stars
- Relentless T-Birds Erase 2-Goal Deficit to Win in Ott's Debut - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Bears Pick up Point in Ninth Straight Game in 4-3 Shootout Loss to Penguins - Hershey Bears
- Strong Start Earns Senators a Point in 2-1 OT Defeat Versus Bruins - Belleville Senators
- Penguins Best Bears in Shootout, 4-3 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Checkers Spook Phantoms with 8-5 Win - Charlotte Checkers
- Lysell's Overtime Tally Puts P-Bruins Past Senators - Providence Bruins
- Iowa and Milwaukee Set Temperature Record, Admirals Win, 3-2, in Overtime - Iowa Wild
- Trey Fix-Wolansky Notches Two Assists as Wolf Pack Down Islanders 3-2 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Comets Shut out in Rochester, 3-0 - Utica Comets
- Islanders' Win Streak Snapped in Road Loss to Wolf Pack - Bridgeport Islanders
- L'Heureux Scores in OT for Ads' Win - Milwaukee Admirals
- Wolf Pack Sign Defenseman Owen Gallatin to PTO - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Reign Preview - Ontario at Coachella Valley - Ontario Reign
- Sunday's Charlotte-Hershey Game Postponed Due to Impending Winter Weather - AHL
- Sunday's Hershey Bears Game Postponed - Hershey Bears
- Belleville Sens Launch Adopt-A-School Program - Belleville Senators
- Wolf Pack Recall Forward Zakary Karpa from Loan to ECHL Bloomington - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Game Preview: Iowa Wild vs. Milwaukee Admirals - Iowa Wild
- Game Preview: Condors vs Eagles, 7 p.m. - Bakersfield Condors
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Penguins, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Preview: Phantoms vs. Charlotte, Game 39 - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Bojangles Game Preview: January 23 at Lehigh Valley - Charlotte Checkers
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.
