Hershey Rides Point Streak to 5-2 Win Against IceCaps

Parker Milner makes a save in the second period of Hershey’s Saturday night win against St. John’s. (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)

Parker Milner made his first start in Chocolate Town for the Hershey Bears on Saturday night and impressed the 10,456 fans at Giant Center. 29 saves in his second win of the season promises Hershey they will win the week as they take down St. John’s, 5-2.

Bears fell behind quickly as the IceCaps score under two minutes into the game. But Hershey would fight back and score three straight goals coming from Paul Carey, Tyler Lewington, and Ryan Bourque, his first of the season, to take a 3-1 lead. “The resiliency is there knowing if you play the right way and do the right things offensively, you’re going to get your opportunities,” said Troy Mann.

Another two goals from Stan Galiev and Christian Thomas, Milner would only allow one more goal the rest of the game. “It’s definitely nice playing behind a team that can score,” said Milner. “When you get five goals in the first two periods, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Milner, 26, is now 2-0 in two games with Hershey after recalled for the first time prior to the All-Star break and returning this week. “It’s a little different than my time with Bridgeport. It seems like I’m here because they want me to be here, whereas in the past it was automatic because someone got hurt and it was by default. I want to just put my best foot forward and keep trying to get as many wins as possible.”

“He made some key saves,” Mann said about the Pittsburgh native’s performance. “That gives your team a chance to either tie it or maybe get that lead. We saw that big save he made there early in the second – that’s a game changer.”

Galiev, who had a goal and an assist Saturday, currently has five points in his last two games. “We’ve got some chemistry on our line,” said Galiev. “It’s easy to play with Brad Malone and Carey. We work hard for pucks and use our feet to create space to shoot and good things happen.”

Hershey will have to face St. John’s again on Sunday, an earlier start – 2 P.M. – due to the Super Bowl. “I don’t remember the last time I played at 2 o’clock,” Galiev said with a smile. “It should be a good game and we should be fresh to go.”

GIFs:

Paul Carey scores to make it 1-1

Milner makes a fantastic save.

PHOTOS:

Lewington jumps into the glass to celebrate his goal.

Game.