Bears return to their winning ways, 5-1 victory

Ashton Rome celebrates a goal with the crowd.(Photo by Kyle Mace)

This is more like the Hershey team we know and love. Backed by Braden Holtby, the Bears dominated from start to finish. And no matter how hard the Adirondack Phantoms tried to push them off their game, it couldn’t be done.

While the entire team seemed to parading to the penalty box, The Phantom’s Zac Rinaldo led the team with 3 minor penalties and one fighting major. He was in just one of three fights that happened within three minutes of each other. Matt Clackson spent the entire night looking for someone to fight him and finally found a partner in Sheldon Souray. I’m betting after the beatdown Souray gave him, he’s regretting that decision. Trevor Bruess paired off with Rinaldo and Ashton Rome squared off with Kevin Marshall.

Speaking of Rome, he led the team tonight with two goals. They were his first and second goals of the season. Brian Willsie started off the scoring (as he has done in three games now). In between Rome’s two goals, Steve Pinizzotto had a nifty goal with a nice move on Backlund. With just under five minutes left in the game, Holtby’s shutout bid ended, making Kyle Greentree‘s goal the game winner.

This game was nothing short of entertaining. Between all the goals and all the fights, if you were watching, you had to be glued to you seat. These teams really don’t like each other, no matter if the Phantoms are playing in Philadelphia or Adirondack. And the best part? They play each other again tomorrow!

Tonight’s Notes:

• The Bears wore jerseys commemorating their back-to-back championships. My favorite part was the small logos of the Manitoba Moose and the Texas Stars on the shoulders, the two teams they defeated in the finals. Nice move.
• Sadly, Andrew Gordon‘s goal streak came to an end tonight. But he did get the primary assist on Greentree’s goal, continuing his point streak.
• I love having Willsie back. No matter what the outcome of the game has been, Willsie has been a steady presence and always seems to be on his game.
• My vote for hit of the night? Pinizzotto leveling David Laliberte in the corner. He sent him spiraling.
• The Caps continue to shuffle their goalies around. With the news that Semyon Varlamov is reinjured, Dany Sabourin backed up for the Caps tonight and Todd Ford returned to the Hershey bench.

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Ashton Rome (HER)
2. Kyle Greentree (HER)
3. Sean Collins (HER)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Rome: two goals
2. Greentree: GWG and assist
3. Willsie: first goal of the night

Video Highlights:

Have some more photos from Kyle Mace!

George McPhee was in the house tonight hanging out with Doug Yingst.

One of many goals that got past Johan Backlund

Souray defeats the Headless Clackson

Hershey celebrates another victory with Holtby. Miskovic looks happy that tonight is over. You can also get a nice look at the jerseys here.

Pictures from the jersey auction:

Keith Aucoin uses charm to sell his jersey.

Bouchard might be going for overkill

Rechlicz continues to be the slowest healer ever.

Miskovic's jersey comes with his blood fresh from a broken nose.

Holtby is in better spirits than during the last auction.

How does Gordon always seem to be having so much fun?