Hershey Bears Cannot Complete the Comeback, Eliminated from Playoffs

Robert Bortuzzo jumps into the celebration pile after the Penguin’s second goal (All photos by Kyle Mace)

After a rough start to the series, the Hershey Bears came back and won back to back game to send the series back to Wilkes-Barre. After a good first period, the Bears gave up two goals in seven seconds to the Baby Pens to drop the series in five game, losing by a score of 2-1.

The Bears came out rolling in the first, keeping the score even through almost 40 minutes of play. That would change when Kyle Greentree would get a four minute, double minor penalty for high-sticking Joey Mormina.

With time winding down in the penalty, Cal O’Riley would score his third of the playoffs to put the Penguins up 1-0.

Seven seconds later, Zach Still would put the Penguins up by two with redirect in front.

Ryan Potulny would try to start a come back 23 seconds into the third with a goal of his own. But the fact that the team that scored first in every game would win stayed true as Wilkes-Barre would win he game and the series.

“It was a good hockey game,” said coach Mark French. “Both teams put it on the line. Unfortunately that two minute span really hurt.”

“It turned into a great series,” Chris Bourque said. “I bet a lot of people thought that we would have gave up after first two games here.

“They got a couple of luck bounces and ended up winning. It kind of sucks but that’s the game.”

Ryan Potulny was thought this team’s effort was great. “We didn’t give up. It would be easy to give up when you’re down 2-0 in a series, but we didn’t want to do that. We wanted to battle right to the end. I’m proud of those guys. I’d go to battle with the same guys any day.”

Up next for Wilkes-Barre are the St. John’s IceCaps. Their series starts Tuesday.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Tomas Kundratek was out tonight with a hand injury.
• After a 9:4 penalty ratio favoring Wilkes-Barre last night, the penalty were an even 1:1 tonight.
• With the Capitals still in the playoffs, expect some call-up by them. Cody Eakin might be a lock to be a “black ace” for the Caps.

More photos from tonight’s game:
WBS scores their first of the game

Next season is the season…