Despite Getting Outshot, Bears beat Marlies 3-2 (SO)

In a rare Wednesday night game, the Bears traveled to Canada to play the Toronto Marlies. Hershey had the overwhelming obstacle of defeating Jonas Gustavsson who is with the Marlies on a conditioning stint. He is definitely an NHL-caliber goaltender and did very well in his first two conditioning games. To beat him, you need to shoot often.

…which is the opposite of what the Bears did at first. However, Hershey did manage to get one past Gustavsson thanks to Andrew Joudrey who was playing in his first game since being out with an upper body injury. Welcome back, Captain! However, the Marlies, not exactly known for their power play skills, tied it up while Patrick McNeill (not O’Neill, as the Ricoh Coliseum guy announced) was in the box. Continuing their onslaught of shots, it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net again right off an late period offensive zone face-off. By the end of the first period, the Marlies were out-shooting them 15 to 5.

I imagine there were some strong words delivered by the coaches during the first intermission because they Bears came out aggressive for the second period. Braden Holtby continued to be a rock in net, holding back the Marlies from obtaining an even bigger lead. Late in the period, the Bears got their first power play which then turned into a 5-on-3. Boyd Kane had a shot on goal that rebounded back out. A Marlie attempted to interrupt the pass but ended up deflected it right to Kyle Greentree who shot it back door.

It was a tie game doing into a big third period. Penalties were exchanged and the Marlies regained some power, outshooting the Bears by a wide margin once again. But there was no change in the score and so the teams traveled on to overtime. Despite beginning and ending overtime on the power play, the Bears were unable to convert and a shootout was needed to end this game.

When it come down to the shootout, Holtby showed them who was boss. He stopped all five Toronto shooters. Steve Pinizzotto, who had a great game in his home town with friends and family watching, was the only Hershey skater to beat Gustavsson. It was all Hershey needed, however. Bears win 3-2 (SO).

Tonight’s Notes:

• With a healthy Brian Fahey returning to the line-up, Josh Godfrey was returned to the South Carolina Stingrays this morning.
• Johann Kroll got a little shook up during the second period and went down the tunnel, followed the medical staff. He did not return to the game so we hope that it’s not too serious for Kroll.
• With a 5-on-3 goal tonight, the Bears broke an eight-game power play goal drought. Their last power play goal came against the Manitoba Moose on February 6th. Ironically enough, the Marlies have the top penalty kill unit in the league.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin – Willsie
Greentree – Beagle – Pinizzotto
Lacroix – Joudrey – de Kastrozza
Rome – Carroll – Bouchard

McNeill – Collins
Fahey – Wellar
Kroll – Souray

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Braden Holtby (HER)
2. Greg Scott (TOR)
3. Alex Foster (TOR)

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

1. Holtby: strong game, stopped 32 of 34 shots
2. Souray:two assists
3. Pinizzotto: strong game, drew several penalties, scored GWG in shootout