Checkers fall to Bruins despite 40-shot barrage; AHL playoff series now 2-1
In playoff hockey, the scoreboard often tells a different story than the shot counter. The Charlotte Checkers learned that lesson Wednesday night, leaving 5,908 dejected fans at Bojangles Coliseum wondering how a game so thoroughly controlled could slip away.
Despite peppering Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro with 40 shots while surrendering just 19, the Checkers fell 3-2 in Game 3 of their AHL Atlantic Division semifinal series. The loss postponed what many hoped would be a series-clinching celebration, though Charlotte still holds a 2-1 advantage heading into Friday’s Game 4.
“It’s like Christmas Eve every time you come into the building,” Charlotte Checkers COO Tera Black said before puck drop, capturing the anticipation that crackled through the arena after Kyle Teel, the Charlotte Knights catcher and Chicago White Sox No. 2 prospect, energized the crowd during pregame festivities.
That festive atmosphere erupted when forward Will Lockwood converted a 2-on-1 rush with a top-shelf snipe that had fans leaping from their seats. The building buzzed with confidence as Charlotte dominated early play, outshooting Providence 15-9 in the opening frame.
But playoff hockey has a way of humbling even the most dominant teams. Bruins forward Riley Tufte silenced the crowd midway through the first, capitalizing on a power play by collecting his own rebound off Kaapo Kähkönen’s pad. The moment punctured the early euphoria, sending a ripple of tension through the stands.
When center Rasmus Asplund restored Charlotte’s lead on a power-play conversion from left wing John Leonard, the roar returned — a collective release that seemed to say this night would indeed end with a series victory and a trip to the Division Finals.
“The intensity is insane. The guys just leave it all on the ice, and it’s just incredible to see,” Black said, and that intensity manifested in the crowd’s emotional swings. Cheers turned to groans when Tufte netted his second equalizer early in period two, and the once-boisterous faithful grew increasingly anxious as Providence weathered Charlotte’s offensive barrage.
By the third period, the once-dominant “Let’s Go Checkers” chants had taken on a desperate edge. The breaking point came when Tyler Pitlick struck for Providence just after a Checkers power play expired. Jeffrey Viel — freshly out of the penalty box — provided the assist that silenced Bojangles Coliseum.
The final minutes told the story of playoff hockey’s cruel mathematics: 40 shots meant nothing compared to Providence’s efficient three conversions. Charlotte’s frantic final push, including pulling Kähkönen for an extra attacker, produced nothing but near-misses and a collective groan when DiPietro smothered the final chance.
“We had an unprecedented amount of injuries this season,” Black said of Charlotte’s journey. “Geordie (Kinnear), our head coach, he was like a magician in how he managed to keep us winning, obviously finish the season in second place in our division.”
That resilience will be tested Friday when the Checkers face what suddenly feels like immense pressure. A 2-0 series lead built on the road — with Kähkönen posting a shutout in Game 2 — now comes with the added weight of avoiding a winner-take-all Game 5.
The Checkers have proven their mettle throughout a challenging campaign, leaning on their ECHL affiliate Savannah Ghost Pirates for reinforcements during injury-plagued stretches. That depth helped them secure second place in the Atlantic Division and the critical first-round bye that came with it.
“The entire front office staff and hockey staff and players are kind of all on the same team, not even kind, they’re 100% on the same team,” Black said. “Just getting us to the energy level we need from the fans to get the energy out of the players, to get the W.”
That synergy between team and fans will be put to the test Friday night. In a series where Charlotte has outscored Providence 9-4 and dominated the territory, the Checkers will need to translate that advantage into the win that matters most.
For the Checkers and their fans, Christmas might have been delayed, but it hasn’t been canceled. Not yet.
This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 5:30 AM.