The Syracuse Crunch fell to the Charlotte Checkers, 4-1, on Friday at Bojangles Coliseum.
The Crunch moved to 8-3 on the season and 0-1 in the four-game season series with the Checkers.
Syracuse was on the board first in the opening frame and held a 1-0 lead through the second. Charlotte came back with two goals early in the third period followed by two empty-net goals in the final minute to seal the win.
Crunch goaltender Ryan Fanti put a stop to 18-of-20 shots faced. Cooper Black turned aside 17-of-18 for the Checkers. The Syracuse power play converted on 1-of-3 opportunities while Charlotte converted on 1-of-2 man advantages.
The Crunch opened the scoring on the power play at the 10:34 mark of the first period. Declan Carlile fired a shot from the point, which Mitchell Chaffee tipped in from in front of the crease.
After a scoreless second period, the Checkers knotted the score 19 seconds into the final frame. Brian Pinho delivered on a snapshot from the right circle while on the power play.
Just over two minutes later, Jack Devine gave Charlotte a 2-1 lead when he potted a rebound off a shot by Pinho. Devine and Riese Gaber each scored an empty-net goal in the last minute of play to secure the victory.
The Crunch will have their rematch with the Checkers on Saturday at 6 p.m.