Bears Late Comeback Effort Falls Short in Adirondack

Dany Sabourin, pictured here duing training camp, allowed 2 goals on 30 shots in Hershey’s 2-0 loss Saturday night

Sometimes the best player on the ice isn’t on the winning team. On Saturday night, Hershey Bears goaltender Dany Sabourin came up with a big effort in a small town. Sabourin made 28 saves in a 2-0 loss to the Adirondack Phantoms in Glens Falls, New York.

But Sabourin didn’t make 28 routine saves. He made spectacular saves on many point blank shots by the Phantoms in the second period. They included four big saves on a second period Phantoms power play.

Neither team scored through two periods. They did score some big hits that carried into a third period fight between Hershey’s Andrew Carroll and the Phantoms Tom Sestito. Each drew fighting penalities but Sestito got a ten minute misconduct. The Bears still couldn’t get anything past former Flyers goalie Michael Leighton. The Phantoms did finally fool Saborin.

With nearly six minutes gone in the final stanza, Adirondack’s Denis Hamel scored from a tough angle to give the Phantoms a 1-0 advantage. Two minutes later Zach Miskovic took a penality for closing his hand on the puck. The Phantoms then closed the door on the Bears.

A great pass to Adirondack’s Harry Zolnierczyk resulted in another Phantoms tally to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.

The Bears pressed in the final minute and with Saborin pulled for a sixth attacker, Dmitry Orlov’s blast with 39 seconds left, cut the Phantoms lead to 2-1. It wasn’t enough and the Bears wind up losing their second straight on the road by that 2-1 score.

Chris Bourque failed to register a point in a game for the first time this season, but it was just the second time in the first nine games games the Bears failed to register a point in the standings.

Hershey returns home for a 5pm face-off against the defending Calder Cup Champion Binghamton Senators Sunday afternoon at Giant Center.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Graham and Cristina Mink announced today on Twitter that they are expecting their second child. Congratulations to Graham and Cristina!

Three stars of the game:

1. ADK – Michael Leighton
2. ADK – Denis Hamel
3. ADK – Harry Zolnierczyk