Shootout Struggles Continue as Bears Lose 6-5 (SO)

Tim Sestito scores on Braden Holtby in the Bears 6-5 loss. (All photos by Kyle Mace)

The Hershey Bears lost their fourth straight game on Saturday night. Sort of. In the hockey world of losses, there are also overtime losses and shootout losses. Those losses aren’t as bad as a regulation loss. Saturday night’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Albany Devils gave Hershey a point in the tight AHL Eastern division. It was Hershey’s fourth straight defeat, but only one of those losses was a regulation loss.

The Bears took a 2-0 first period lead on a goals by Graham Mink and a “rocket” drive from Dmitry Orlov. But Albany would tally three goals over a 15 minute span to take a 3-2 lead. Hershey tied it on Chris Bourque’s 8th goal of the year.

Then each team scored twice in the third, with the Bears tying it both times. First on Bourque’s second of the game and then the game tying goal with 13:30 left in regulation, off the stick of Bears Captain Boyd Kane.

Hershey could not capitalize on an overtime power play. In the shootout, the Bears scored just once on the opening shot from Jacob Micflikier. Albany scored three shootout goals including the game winner by Steve Bernier.

“Overtime, four on four play and shootouts are the reality at this level,” said Bears coach Mark French. “We haven’t been proficient in it, we have to get better. We’ve had two shootout losses in a row, scoring a combination of one goal. Like it or not you have to be better in those areas. We’ve been playing mediocre hockey in these situation where we are tying a lot of games and doing OK We thought today we had to step up to cross that line and get a regulation win. There were some positive things but obviously five goals against is too much.”

The Bears are now off until Wednesday, when they play their traditional Thanksgiving Eve game. The Providence Bruins provide the opposition for the 7:00pm face off at Giant Center.

More photos from tonight’s game:

Dmitry Orlov’s goal to give Hershey a 2-0 lead

Orlov celebrates his goal with Garrett Mitchell

Rechlicz’s punch that rattled Myles Stoesz noggin

Rechlicz has a few words for Stoesz

Braden Holtby’s misplay of the puck let Albany score and tied up the game at two goals a piece

DJ King dropped the mitts for the first time as a Bear tonight

Rechlicz talks to King after DJ’s fight

Graham Mink drops the mitts for the first time with the Bears since the Calder Cup playoffs in 2008-09 when he broke his hand in a fight

Eric Gelinas converts on the Power Play for the Devils

Chris Bourque ties the game back up with his 8th goal of the season

And Chris Bourque’s 9th goal of the season from a deflection off a Patrick McNeill shot, but the Bears still lose 6-5