Penguins Top Bears, 3-1 in First Game of Playoffs

Dany Sabourin sees a shot enter his net. All photos by Kyle Mace.

The quest for the 12th Calder Cup began tonight. Even though the Bears are viewed as the underdogs in the series, we know that they’re not going down without a fight (literally and figuratively).

It wasn’t a strong start for the Bears. After twenty minutes, they only had three shots on goal and were down one goal. It could’ve been worse, however. Dany Sabourin was back and doing his best to keep his team in it. The Penguin goal came from Colin McDonald just ten seconds into their first power play of the night.

The bad luck with the penalties continued into the second period. The Bears were in and out of the penalty box all night and it cost them. The Penguins took a two-goal lead on the power play and the Bears couldn’t counter on the rare power play chances they got.

The Penguins were strong from start to finish. They topped of the game with a third goal (second goal of the night for McDonald), this time at full strength. The small bright side was Mike Carman finding the back of the net, ensuring that the Bears wouldn’t be shut out. Bears lose, 3-1.

It’s not the way you want to start playoffs but it’s not the end. No rest.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Congratulations are in order for Keith Aucoin who earned his first NHL playoff point last night in a win against the Boston Bruins.
• Bears fans can breathe a little easier over the goaltending sitaution. Dany Sabourin was sent down from Washington this morning. Newly assigned to Hershey, Brandon Anderson took the back-up duties, sending Daren Machesney back to South Carolina.
• More good news for the line-up: Cody Eakin returned to Hershey from Washington. Additionally, Jacob Micflikier returned to the line-up after missing the last 16 games with an injury.
• Special teams: Bears went 0-for-3 on the power play. Penguins were 2-for-5. Ouch.

Lines and Pairings:

Greentree – Potulny – Mink
Kane – Eakin – Bourque
Pope – Carman – Micflikier
King – Carroll – Mitchell

McNeill – Marshall
Wellar – Kundratek
Schilling – Collins

Three stars of the game:

1. Colin McDonald (WBS)
2. Cal O’Reilly (WBS)
3. Alexandre Picard (WBS)

More photos from tonight:

Patrick Wellar and Alex Grant drop the mitts.

The Penguins pot their second power play goal.

Jacob Micflikier and the Penguins watch the puck fly by.