Bears Lose Offensive Showdown to Checkers, 5-4

April 14, 2011
Kathryn Hedrick
Game Recap

Charlotte celebrates on their five goals against Holtby during Game 1. Photo by Kyle Mace

Hold on to your hats, Bears fans. This could be a long series against the Charlotte Checkers.

The Bears did exactly what they needed to do: they started off strong. On the very first play, Boyd Kane had a good scoring chance. Just 70 seconds in, Andrew Joudrey took a Charlotte turnover and dished a perfect pass to Steve Pinizzotto who scored.

The Checkers took back some momentum a couple of minutes later when Zac Dalpe rushed around Andrew Gordon and right to the net. Braden Holtby made the initial save but Dalpe was in his face and ready to bang home the rebound. Gordon’s bad luck wouldn’t stop there. The Checkers got another shot off on Holtby, who yet again made the initial save. Unfortunately, the rebound appeared to deflect off on Gordon and into the net. Charlotte had their first lead of the game.

Towards the end of the period, the Bears got their second power play of the game. Brian Willsie had a nice cross-ice to Keith Aucoin, who scored backdoor on Justin Pogge. Tie game after one period.

The Bears are not going to want to play the special teams game with the Checkers. The Checkers are ranked high in the league for both the penalty kill and the power play. During the second period, the Checkers were whistled for delay of game. The Bears lost control of the puck and Charlotte scored a shorthanded goal as Bellemore scored on (you guessed it) the rebound.

During the same period, Zach Boychuk took off on a break. He was right up to Holtby when Aucoin absolutely robbed him and stole the puck out from right under him. Aucoin took the puck and gave it Kane and Kane buried it. Tie game…again.

The Bears finally regained the lead early in the third period. Willsie had a gorgeous slapshot that snuck past Pogge. But that lead wouldn’t last. Zach Boychuk tied the game up on the rebound (I’m not joking). Charlotte didn’t take long to take the lead back as Drayson Bowman scored five-hole on Holtby. It wasn’t a rebound shot, but it was also a shot that Holtby should’ve had.

The Bears just plain couldn’t keep up with the Checkers. Mark French had some terse answers for the reporters post-game. He was especially disappointed in his team’s third period effort. The team will have two days to rest before they have their next chance.

One game down. Plenty more chances. We’re looking forward to meeting everyone this Sunday at the Sweetest Tailgate on Earth. Clear your schedule and get down to Giant Center early! Get pumped!

Tonight’s Notes:

Dmitry Orlov had a pretty impressive first playoff game. He had a huge open ice hit during the third period that sent Brad Herauf flying.
Holtby’s save of the night came at the very end of the first period. Drayson Bowman was at the side of net and Holtby made it across the crease to just plain rob him. That’s one we’ll be remembering for a while. Check it out in the video highlights below at the 0:40 mark.
It is worth nothing that Hershey’s penalty kill unit did a great job. They stopped all five of Charlotte’s power play. The Checkers’ power play is ranked third in the league.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Aucoin -Gordon
Greentree – Perreault – Willsie
Carroll – Joudrey – Pinizzotto
Kozek – Lacroix- Bouchard

McNeill – Fahey
Souray – Orlov
Wellar – Oreskovic

Video Highlights:

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Drayson Bowman (CHA)
2. Keith Aucoin (HER)
3. Zac Dalpe (CHA)

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

1. Aucoin: goal and assist
2. Willsie: goal and assist
3. Fahey: only Hershey defenseman with + rating and not on ice for any Charlotte goals

More Photos from Kyle Mace

The Hershey faithful are ready to cheer their team on!