DiSalvatore, Syracuse Squeeze Past Bears in OT

Syracuse, NY – Jon DiSalvatore celebrates the overtime game winner against his former team only 1:50 into the extra frame. (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

We are in a crucial point of the regular season where every game is a playoff game. At this point it’s undeniable the Hershey Bears are on the outside looking into the Eastern Conference playoff bubble, and are a better hockey team than indicated by their record.

Friday, the Chocolate and White began their weekend with its lone away tilt in Syracuse, New York. Seeking revenge after getting embarrassed in the AHL Showcase, the Bears fell to the Crunch by a 3-2 overtime count in the debuts of Chris Brown and Kris Newbury.

Head Coach Mike Haviland continued his theme in dressing 11 forwards and seven defenseman. Brown and Newbury were placed on the same offensive line, and the duo received a warm welcome to Chocolate Town only 9:50 into Friday’s contest.

In the lone power play chance of the entire game between either sides, Newbury found Brown wide-open between the face off circles for a quick point-blank chance on net. Brown’s first goal as a Bear put his new club up, 1-0.

But 4:14 later, Hershey’s lone lead of the night evaporated on Charles Landry’s first goal of the season. He sent a shot into traffic that deflected off a Hershey body stationed near the back door and past Philipp Grubauer to knot the game 1-1 before the first break.

Dalton Smith tallied for Syracuse only 2:48 into the second stanza to give his team their first lead of the night. The 2-1 score would hold into second intermission.

Matt Watkins tied the match with 10:47 remaining in regulation after a crisp redirection into the cage, past Latvian goalie Kristers Gudlevskis. All four Hershey offensive lines were buzzing thereafter seeking the go-ahead tally, but none were to come.

Hershey gained a point entering sudden-death overtime in a 2-2 gridlock. It proved to be a productive night in the standings regardless, due to a third period collapse and regulation loss by the eighth place Albany Devils.

Cameron Schilling turned the puck over in his defensive end, and Jon DiSalvatore capsized the Bears in OT. The shot was a little roller that appeared to hit Grubauer, graze iron behind him and trickle into the net.

Hershey will return home the next night to battle the Adirondack Phantoms, looking to bounce back from the overtime setback. Game time is 7pm at Giant Center.

More photos from the game. All photos by Kyle Mace.

Kristers Gudlevskis of Olympic fame was the starting goaltender for Syracuse Friday night

Newbury takes a faceoff against DiSalvatore