Hershey Keeps Season Alive with Game 3 Win (OT)

Ryan Potulny (left) celebrates his GWOTG with teammates Graham Mink (center) and Boyd Kane (Photo by Kyle Mace)

The Hershey Bears came into tonight’s game one loss from elimination and having their 2012 Calder Cup hopes come to a crashing ending. A loss would also be the first time in 46 years the Bears have been swept in a three game, first round series with the last happening in 1966. But after tonight’s game, we will have to wait until year 47 to see if that happens.

The Bears came out to a quick start, scoring 2 goals, but having Wilkes-Barre go toe-to-toe with them and tie it up ever time Hershey would take the lead, but when you go to overtime, you cannot come back and tie it up. And that is exactly what happened tonight. After 60 minutes of play, all Hershey would need is another 2:57 to cut Wilkes-Barre’s two game lead in half and stay alive in the Calder Cup playoffs, after a 4-3 win over the Baby Pens.

The Bears did get out to a quick start with back to back goals from D. J. King and Cameron Schilling. King’s goal would be his first as a Bear and first since the 07-08 season. Schilling’s goal would be his first Bears goal as well, but also his first ever pro goal.

But those moment’s would be ruined as the Penguins would tie it up with back to back goals of their own, knotting it at two apiece.

Hershey would take the lead back with a goal from Kyle Greentree, but that lead would only last 3:40 with the flightless birds tying it up at three-all.

Ryan Potulny would then become the hero, scoring in OT and giving Hershey a 4-3 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

More photos from tonight’s game
D. J. King scores his first goal as a Bear and first since the 2007-08 season

Game 4 is Friday, folks!