Perreault’s goals can’t hold off 5-2 Charlotte victory

Braden Holtby pushes Zach Boychuk down after Boychuk gets a little too close. Photo by Kyle M.

While the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals battled two hours away, their farm teams were playing a game of their own.

Sunday is Mathieu Perreault‘s day. Thanks to John Walton’s mention, I looked up Perreault’s stats for every Sunday game he has played in Hershey. He has at least one point in all five Sunday games that he played. In the past three Sunday games, he has at least two points, including the night of his six assists. Tonight was no exception. He scored the only two goals for Hershey that would sadly go to waste.

Thanks to Perreault, the Bears had an early lead against the Charlotte Checkers. The lead would hold until the beginning of the second period when a funny bounce went over Braden Holtby‘s shoulder to tie the game.

After Perreault’s second goal, a controversial penalty shot went down that left people scratching their heads. Replays later showed that it was the result of a questionable hook by Sheldon Souray. It was definitely a penalty, not so much worth a penalty shot. Nevertheless, Jacob Micflikier beat Holtby and tied the game once again. Just a few seconds later, the Checkers then took their first lead of the game with a funny shot. Former Bear, Oskar Osala was credited with the goal that would prove to the game winner.

During the third period, a scrum erupted in front of Holtby. He appeared to take a puck to the wrist but that didn’t stop him from leaving his crease to take down Zach Boychuk. Holtby received a two minute roughing penalty that created an uproar of cheers from the Hershey fans.

It may not have been the greatest idea to leave Holtby in goal. He seemed to have some problems with his hand. He also let in two goals within four minutes of each other. The first goal came right at the end of the Hershey power play and the second goal came on the Charlotte power play.

And so the Charlotte Checkers beat the Hershey Bears 5-2. Here’s hoping Holtby heals quickly. We only just got him back!

Tonight’s Notes:

• Lawrence Nycholat leads all AHL defensemen in points with 3 goals and 17 assists.
• After a great game against the Phantoms, Dmitri Kugryshev was promoted to the second line.
• Ashton Rome had some pretty nice hits throughout the game. Maybe he didn’t take too well to being a healthy scratch.
• A goaltender’s best friend is the post. This proved to be true as several shots by the Checkers rang off the post, saving the Bears from a bigger defeat.
• Going into this game, Charlotte’s power play unit was 6th in the league. Hershey held them off for the first two power plays but allowed them a goal only a few seconds into the third power play.
• Check out all of Kyle’s photos, including warm-up photos, on our Facebook page!

Video Highlights:

Lines and Pairings:

Willsie – Perreault – Gordon
Greentree – Beagle – Kugryshev
Kane – Joudrey – Pinizzotto
Lacroix – Buress – Rome

Souray – Collins
Nycholat – Miskovic
Wellar – Fahey

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Mike Murphy (CHA)
2. Bryan Rodney (CHA)
3. Mathieu Perreault (HER)

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

1. Perreault: two goals
2. Gordon: one assist, led the team with six shots on goal
3. Holtby: hey, that smackdown is awesome

More Photos by Kyle M.:

Mathieu Perreault scores his first goal of the night.

Holtby covers the puck.

Holtby checks Drayson Bowman along the boards.

Brian Willsie celebrates Perreault’s second goal.

Jacob Micflikier on the shot attempt that earned him a penalty shot.

Micflikier scores on the penalty shot.

Holtby lays the smack down.

The crowd cheers after Holtby’s smackdown.

Holtby getting some repairs done after he takes a puck to the wrist.

Charlotte celebrates their comeback victory.