Colorado Drops First-Ever Meeting with Charlotte, 6-3
Oct 28, 2026
LOVELAND, CO. – Charlotte forward Jack Devine netted a pair of goals, while goalie Tyler Muszelik stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced to earn his first career AHL win, as the Checkers defeated the Colorado Eagles 6-3 on Tuesday. Charlotte dominated on specialty teams, finishing 2-for-5 on the power play, while also tacking on a shorthanded tally. Colorado goaltender Ilya Nabokov suffered the loss in net, allowing four goals on 23 shots.
Colorado would strike just 54 seconds into the contest when forward Adam Beckman camped at the side of the crease before steering a pass into the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Despite earning the game’s first power play, Colorado would see the tables turn, as a turnover led to a shorthanded goal from the low slot for Checkers forward Will Bitten, tying the game at 1-1 with 6:32 remaining in the first period.
Charlotte would strike again, as a power play set up Devine to bury a wrister from the left-wing circle, putting the Checkers on top 2-1 at the 14:18 mark of the second period.
An Eagles power play would then see defenseman Christian Wolanin weave his way between the circles before lighting the lamp with a wrist shot, tying the game 2-2 with 3:28 remaining in the middle frame.
A turnover at center ice would set up Charlotte forward Gracyn Sawchyn to drive down the ice on a 2-on-1. His initial shot would be turned aside by goalie Ilya Nabokov, but Sawchyn would push the rebound across the goal line, giving the Checkers a 3-2 advantage at the 19:45 mark of the second stanza.
The third period would start with a bang, as Charlotte forward Robert Mastrosimone steered a cross-slot pass past Nabokov, extending the Checkers lead to 4-2 just 1:55 into the final frame.
As time wound down, Colorado would pull Nabokov in favor of the extra attacker, but it would be Devine who would capitalize with an empty-netter with 3:11 left in the contest.
On the ensuing faceoff, Eagles forward Matt DiMarsico would dart through the left-wing circle before lighting the lamp with a wrister, trimming the deficit to 5-3 at the 16:59 mark.
Colorado would once again pull Nabokov and the Checkers would once again take advantage, as forward Nate Smith tucked home an empty-netter with 50 seconds remaining in the game.
The Eagles will be back in action when they take on the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday, October 28th at 7:05pm MT at Blue Arena. Tickets for all Colorado Eagles home games are on sale now and can be purchased at ColoradoEagles.com.
