Hershey Scores Four Unanswered, Cruise Past Phantoms

HERSHEY, PA – Michael Latta joins teammates after Brandon Segal’s first period goal during Hershey’s 4-1 win over Adirondack (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

It’s has been high riding for the Hershey Bears this season against the Northeast Division, entering Saturday with an a 7-3-2-1 record in 2013-14. But Cal Heeter and the Adirondack Phantoms have haunted the Bears this season with three wins in the previous four meetings.

With the Phantoms in the Eastern Conference dungeon, their playoff chances are fading away by the second. But for the Chocolate and White, all 16 games remaining entering Saturday have the significance of playoff games. Two points removed from the eighth seeded Albany Devils, Hershey sought a needed home-ice victory.

Four different Hershey goal scorers propelled them to a 4-1 victory over the Phantoms. It was the team’s 20th win on Giant Center ice this season.

Adirondack drew first blood at the 10:18 mark of the period on an even-strength goal. Derek Mathers beat Bears’ Ryan Stoa to the low slot and received a quick pass from Kyle Flanagan. Mathers jammed a quick shot short side on David Leggio to crack the scoreboard.

Down 1-0 with 2:03 left in the period, a too many men on the ice infraction called against the Phantoms put the Bears on their second power play of the night. Just as Nick Cousins, who served the bench minor reentered the ice surface, Brandon Segal tied the game from the slot after a quick feed from Jeff Taffe.

Two Bears’ goals in the second period put them ahead 3-1 entering the final frame. 4:44 into the period, Stoa was stationed right place, right time at the net front. A Nicolas Deschamps centering bid was blocked off, but the puck caromed to Stoa’s stick, who beat Cal Heeter low to the ice.

Then for the second time of the night, the Chocolate and White scored a momentum-building goal in the final minute of the stanza. A Brandon Segal slap pass, which was heading wide of the cage, was turned into by Michael Latta . At first glance it appeared to be deflected in with a high stick by Latta, but the puck grazed his arm rather, and flew into the net.

Unlike their parent club located in Washington D.C., Hershey showed no signs of coughing up the two-goal lead. Chris Brown tallied his second goal in as many nights with his new club at the third period’s 6:28 mark.

Brown shrugged off several Adirondack bodies from the corner boards, walked into the slot area and scored on Heeter to put Hershey up 4-1. Despite being held to one, third period strike, the Bears were buzzing in the offensive end throughout the period and played a fantastic possession game.

Two of the four total goals on the game occurred just seconds after a Bears’ power play had expired. Former Bear Derek Whitmore suited against his former team and was handled harmlessly throughout the night. There were a couple occasions when he tried to lead a transition attack for the Phantoms, but was shutout at the blue line.

The Bears return home the next night for a 4pm matinee against fellow East Division opponent, Norfolk Admirals.

More photos from the game

Latta watches Segal’s first period goal

There were a latta photos of Latta here…