SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Springfield Thunderbirds (2-1-0-1) received another terrific netminding performance, but it proved not to be enough in a 2-1 shootout loss at the hands of the Charlotte Checkers (2-2-0-0) on Sunday afternoon inside the MassMutual Center.

Springfield starting goalie Will Cranley was the far busier netminder in the opening 20 minutes, as the Checkers outshot the T-Birds by a 13-3 margin through the first period, while Kirill Gerasimyuk had little action in the Charlotte goaltender's crease.

For a second straight night, the T-Birds' shorthanded unit chipped in on offense, as Alek Kaskimaki and Otto Stenberg worked a beautiful give-and-go, with Kaskimaki cashing in from the left-wing side at 10:46, giving Springfield the 1-0 advantage. Kaskimaki has now registered points in each of the season's first four games.

Cranley's excellence continued, as he and the Springfield penalty-killing unit went a perfect 3-for-3 on the day, improving to 18-for-19 on the season. 

After going the first 103 minutes of his season without allowing a goal, Cranley finally succumbed to a strike from Cole Schwindt at 3:44 of the final period, which brought Charlotte back even, 1-1.

The goaltenders' duel carried through the end of regulation, and in the 3-on-3 overtime, Gerasimyuk received some luck from the iron as Kaskimaki hit the post on a breakaway backhander that would have sealed the game for Springfield.

The shootout followed, and Angus Crookshank opened the festivities with a forehander past Cranley's glove, which proved to be all Gerasimyuk would need, as Justin Carbonneau, Kaskimaki, and Nikita Susuev all failed to get one behind the Checker backstop.

Despite the loss, Springfield has earned five points over its first four games of the season, allowing just eight goals to their opposition in regulation time. 

The T-Birds continue the homestand next Friday and Saturday with back-to-back meetings with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with puck drops set for 7:05 p.m. on Oct. 16 and 6:05 p.m. on Saturday.

2026-27 season and individual game tickets are on sale now. Reserve your seats at SpringfieldThunderbirds.com or call (413) 739-GOAL (4625).