Bears Extend Point Streak to Seven with 4-3 Shootout Loss to Checkers

January 18, 2026

The Hershey Bears (18-14-3-1) took three of a possible four points this weekend but fell 4-3 in the shootout to the Charlotte Checkers (22-12-3-0) on Sunday night at Bojangles Coliseum.

Hershey's record in the season series improved to 2-1-0-1, as the Bears extended their season-high point streak to seven games (4-0-2-1).

BOX SCORE

NOTABLES:

• Justin Nachbaur gave Hershey a 1-0 lead with his first career AHL goal just 56 seconds into the contest when he knocked his own rebound out of mid-air past Kirill Gerasimyuk. Grant Cruikshank provided the lone assist on the goal.
• The Checkers took a 2-1 lead in the second period, as Trevor Carrick and Nolan Foote netted power-play goals after Charlotte was awarded a 5-on-3 advantage.
• Graeme Clarke tied the score at 2-2 at 10:30 with his 10th of the season from Alex Suzdalev, and Cam Allen scored at 6:50 of the third period to put Hershey back in front.
• Michael Benning tied the game for Charlotte with 56 seconds remaining in regulation with Kirill Gerasimyuk pulled for an extra skater.
• Charlotte sealed the win when former Bear Brian Pinho scored in the fifth round of the shootout and Nicky Leivermann failed to extend the game for Hershey.

SHOTS: HER 19, CLT 40

GOALTENDING: HER - Mitch Gibson, 36-for-39; CLT - Kirill Gerasimyuk, 16-for-19

POWER PLAY: HER - 0-for-4; CLT - 2-for-7

THEY SAID IT:

Bears head coach Derek King on the team picking up points despite facing injuries to the lineup and young defensemen seeing a significant increase in ice time:
"We battled, but I think we ran out of gas. We were a little depleted, had some banged-up bodies and sickness, but I just liked the way we battled and it could've gone either way. It's never easy [for the young guys] but it was a chance for them to show what they have, and I thought they showed well. We just don't quit. We might have a bad period or a bad stretch in a period, but we've bounced back well, and I like where our team is."

(Answers edited for clarity)

The Bears continue the 2025-26 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they return home to host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at GIANT Center for Taco Tuesday, featuring a specialty taco offering at select locations on the concourse, paired with $5 Coronas. The game will also serve as a Hersheypark Pass Night. All fans will receive a 2026 Hersheypark Ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2026. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this game.