News Summary
The Charlotte Checkers edged out the Hershey Bears with a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Finals. Rasmus Asplund’s decisive goal in the extra period secured the Checkers a commanding 2-0 series lead. The match showcased a thrilling comeback for Charlotte after trailing in the first period. With strong performances from goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen and the home crowd at Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte is on the verge of advancing to the next round as they prepare for Game 3 against Hershey.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Rasmus Asplund’s Overtime Goal Leads Charlotte Checkers to 2-1 Victory Over Hershey Bears in Game 2 of Atlantic Division Finals
In an intense playoff face-off, the Charlotte Checkers secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Hershey Bears in Game 2 of the Atlantic Division Finals, thanks to an overtime goal by Rasmus Asplund. The matchup, held at Bojangles Coliseum, showcased the Checkers’ skill as they gained a 2-0 lead in the series.
The game attracted a crowd of 6,074 fans, who witnessed a fierce battle on the ice. The action began early when Hershey’s Luke Philp netted the first goal at just 2:33 into the first period, putting the Bears ahead 1-0. Assists from Mike Sgarbossa and Chase Priskie highlighted the scoring play. However, the score remained unchanged as both teams struggled offensively throughout the second period, creating limited opportunities.
Asplund turned the tide for Charlotte in the third period. He scored the equalizer at 4:16, with help from Dennis Cesana and Tobias Bjornfot, igniting the home crowd and leveling the score at 1-1. The game then proceeded to overtime where Asplund capped off his impressive performance by scoring the game-winning goal 3:09 into the extra period, with assists credited to John Leonard and Wilmer Skoog.
Goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen exhibited a strong performance in net for Charlotte, stopping 17 of 18 shots and earning the victory. Hershey’s goalie, Hunter Shepard, faced an onslaught of shots and managed to make 27 saves, but ultimately it was not enough to keep Charlotte from claiming the win.
With this crucial victory, the Checkers are now positioned to push the Bears to the brink of elimination for the third time in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. The upcoming Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday at GIANT Center in Hershey with coverage beginning at 7 PM on FOX43.2 Antenna TV.
Series Context
This win adds to the Checkers’ favored history in playoff meetings against the Bears, having previously eliminated Hershey in 2011 and 2019. However, the last playoff encounter in 2023 saw Hershey claim victory. During the regular season, both teams showcased their competitive spirit with a balanced record of four wins each against one another.
Prior to facing Hershey, the Checkers successfully advanced past the Providence Bruins in their Atlantic Division Semifinal series. Conversely, the Bears, while trailing 2-0 in the series, have historically performed well in the playoffs even when down 1-0 in a best-of-five situation, suggesting they have the potential to recover.
Special Teams Analysis
The playoff season has shown challenges for Hershey’s special teams, with the team allowing four shorthanded goals in just six games. Comparatively, Charlotte has dominated in this regard, leading the AHL in shorthanded goals during the regular season, indicating a potential edge as the series progresses.
Looking ahead, if needed, Game 4 will take place on May 22 and a possible Game 5 is slated for May 24. The Checkers aim to capitalize on their momentum, while the Bears will seek to regroup and find ways to turn the series around.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Checkers: Atlantic Division Final Preview
- FOX43: Bears vs Checkers Game 2 Preview
- Nova Caps Fans: Finals Preview
- Charlotte Checkers: Advance to Third Round
- Charlotte Observer: Checkers Victory Report
- Wikipedia: Charlotte Checkers
