Bears’ Effort Rewarded with 4-1 Win against Crunch

Bodies flew as the Bears beat the Crunch. Photo by Jim Commentucci / The Post-Standard.

The Bears have had a tough time against the Syracuse Crunch so far this season. They seemed determined that tonight would not see the same fate.

It’s a strange concept to have Graham Mink on the third line but it paid off. Mink was able to muscle the puck away from the Crunch and pass to Matt Pope, who snapped it past Iiro Tarkki. That beautiful goal was Pope’s first as a Hershey Bear.

Later in the period, the Crunch managed to tie it up on the power play. Braden Holtby was screened by Patrick Maroon and possibly his own teammate. Maroon tipped the shot. But the Bears wouldn’t let that get them down! Moments afterwards, Chris Bourque had a breakaway. He was stopped by Tarkki but the Bears maintained possession and Tomas Kundratek scored his first goal as a Bear!

The Bears had a ton of great scoring chances during the second period but Tarkki was keeping his team in as best as he could. But it was Graham Mink who finally extended the lead during a late power play. He danced right up the crease and caught Tarkki out of position.

Things continued to go well for the Bears. Matt Ford scored from right in front of the goal. He was behind the Syracuse goaltender and Keith Aucoin dished a perfect assist to set it up.

And there you have it. A sixty minute effort is rewarded with a definitive win. Bears defeat Crunch, 4-1. No rest.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Sean Collins returned from injury tonight. He was paired with his old defense buddy, Patrick McNeill. Collins missed seven games.
• With an assist tonight, Chris Bourque extended his point streak to a career-high nine straight games.
• Patrick Wellar dropped the mitts with Troy Bodie tonight. It was a quick fight that ended in a draw. Both guys got in a few jabs.
• After getting hit along the boards, Boyd Kane fell awkwardly onto the ice. Under his own power, he went to the locker room but he did not return to the game.
• Gotta love our special teams: the Bears scored on one of two power plays and killed three of four penalties.
• Despite letting in four goals, Tarkki was phenomenal. Four goals isn’t so bad when you consider the fact that the Bears earned over forty shots on goal.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin – Bourque
Micflikier – Potulny – Ford
Pope – Hanson – Mink
Lacroix – Carroll – Mitchell

McNeill – Collins
Brouillette – Flemming
Wellar – Kundratek

Three stars of the game:

1. Keith Aucoin (HER)
2. Graham Mink (HER)
3. Matt Pope (HER)