Hershey Eliminated from Playoffs by 2-1 OT Loss

Mike Murphy and Braden Holtby shake hands after Game 6. Photo by Kyle Mace

With the Bears facing possible elimination tonight, everyone was nervous.

They only got more nervous when the Charlotte Checkers scored just 35 seconds into the first period. The Bears failed to clear the zone and the Checkers took advantage. Braden Holtby stopped the first shot but a rebound bounced past him. But the Bears held off the Checkers for the rest of period and did a good job of not letting that early goal rattle them.

The Bears also escaped the second period without letting the Checkers score any more goals. I say escape because they were playing Russian roulette with how many penalties they were taking. The penalty kill unit stood up Charlotte and the game moved on with no scoring change.

The good news was that Hershey only needed one goal to tie it up. The bad news? It was time for the third period, which is (as we learned in Game 5 on Friday) notoriously an all Charlotte period.

Time was the enemy and just when things started looking grim, the Bears finally broke the shutout and tied the game! Keith Aucoin won the face-off and Brian Fahey took a shot from the top of the right face-off circle to bring the crowd to its feet.

The final few minutes of regulation ticked away and the already nerve-wracking game became more nerve-wracking by moving on to sudden death overtime for the first time this series.

Unfortunately for the Bears, it was over quick. Just 1:30 into overtime, the Checkers scored to eliminate the Bears from playoffs. Nicolas Blanchard was right in front of the net with no one between him and Holtby. Nick Dodge set him up and the Checkers won 2-1 (OT).

It wasn’t Hershey’s year this year. As sad as it is, Hershey fans have been spoiled by their team. Eleven Calder Cup Championships will help the organization hold its head high even though we will not be watching Bears hockey in May for once. We have some of the best fans in the world, a fact proven by the round of applause the crowded Giant Center gave their team even after losing.

Until next season…

Tonight’s Notes:

• A telling stat from Tim Leone: The Bears went 1 for 26 on the power play against the Checkers during this series. To have that many opportunities pass by is never a good thing.
• Even though the Oklahoma City Barons were eliminated from playoffs today, Alexandre Giroux scored his 52nd career Calder Cup playoff goal, which moved him into second place in the history of the AHL.
• The penalty kill unit really did its part to keep the game as close as it was. Without them holding off Charlotte’s five big power plays, it would have been a very different game.

Video Highlights:

Lines and Pairings:

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

McNeill – Fahey
Souray – Orlov
Wellar – Miskovic

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Nicolas Blanchard (CHA)
2. Mike Murphy (CHA)
3. Brian Fahey (HER)

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

1. Fahey: game-tying goal to push the game to overtime
2. Holtby: stopped 28 of 30 shots
3. Hershey fans: to every fan that stayed and applauded their team even after the loss: you rock.

More Photos from Kyle Mace
Bruce Boudreau watches the game with Doug Yingst.

The last game for the Bears starts off.

The Checkers beat Holtby just 35 seconds in.

The Bears celebrate Fahey’s game-tying goal.

The game-winning goal eludes Holtby.

The Bears react after a stunning Game 6 loss..

The Bears gather together and watch the Checkers celebrate.

Saluting the loyal fans.