Second period pushes Bears to 4-3 win over Wolf Pack
Hartford goalie Cameron Talbot looks back at a puck in his net. Photo by Kyle M.
Hershey chalks up a win the last game they will ever play against the Hartford Wolf Pack before they become the Connecticut Whale.
With Hershey controlling the tempo of this game, it was another game where Semyon Varlamov did not see a lot of shots. He stopped 19 of 22 and at least one of those goals there was really nothing he could do. He looked more comfortable in his crease, even after getting plowed down by Chad Kolarik in the first period.
A strong start to the second period helped push Hershey to an early lead. Mathieu Perreault showed off his speed by breaking up a pass at the blue line before darting off to get an unassisted goal just 17 seconds into the second period. Just over a minute later, Brian Fahey had a bomb of a shot from the right point.
Minutes later, Fahey and Sean Collins took two quick penalties and suddenly the Wolf Pack had their first goal. However, the Bears remained calm and Perreault picked up his fourth goal of the season halfway through the period. Brian Willsie would wrap up the period with a power play goal to make 4-1 Hershey after 40 minutes.
After that period, Hershey was done scoring but Hartford wasn’t. They scored two more goals halfway through the third period before Hershey’s defense could corral them. Willsie’s goal became the game winner as Hershey defeated Hartford 4-3.
So it’s adios Wolf Pack. Hello Whale. We’ll see you in March.
Tonight’s Notes:
- “Joel Rechlicz watch” is officially over. His face is fully healed and he returned to the line-up tonight! Never forget.
- Ashton Rome also returned after missing one game because of an oral-sinus infection and got the primary assist on Fahey’s goal.
- Sheldon Souray was scratched (along with Phil Oreskovic) after an iffy performance against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Dylan Yeo and Zach Miskovic took their spots.
- Seems like our goaltenders really shine when it comes to stoning shorthanded chances. Tonight it was Varlamov stopping Dale Weise. The power play unit shouldn’t allow so many chances but it’s good to know we’ve got calm goalies backing us up.
- The day after a perfect power play, Hershey went only 1-for-6 on the man advantage. Hey, there’s always something to work on.
- Kyle M. reports that there are rumors that Chris Bourque was at the game tonight. We’ll keep you updated if any official news is released. Sources now tell us that despite numerous “Chris Bourque sightings” tonight it appears the Calder Cup MVP was not in the building. We’ll continue to keep you posted.
Video Highlights:
Lines and Pairings:
Willsie – Perreault – Gordon
Greentree – Beagle – Kugryshev
Kane – Joudrey – Rome
Lacroix – Bruess – Rechlicz
Yeo – Collins
Nycholat – Miskovic
Wellar – Fahey
Actual three stars of the game:
1. Mathieu Perreault (HER)
2. Brian Fahey (HER)
3. Chad Kolarik (HFD)
Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:
1. Perreault: two goals
2. Fahey: goal and assist
3. Willsie: game-winning goal
More Photos from Kyle M.:
This picture is just eerie…
