Hershey Bears lose home opener to Belleville, 5-2

Tonight in Hershey, the Bears hosted the Belleville Senators (0-3) for their home opener of the 2017-2018 season.

Coming off a 7-2 loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last Saturday, the Bears were looking to get back on track.

Once again Parker Milner got the starting job while Phoenix Copley and Vitek Vanecek are still nursing injuries.

Hershey would strike first with a 5-on-3 power play goal on the rebound from Chandler Stephenson at 4:24 of the first period. Belleville would get on the board when Ethan Werek would find the back of the net near the end of the first period.

Scoring would happen fast and often in the early stages of the first period. Belleville’s power play would strike early Ethan Werek would score off a deflection on a shot from the point from the point to take a 2-1 lead. Former Hershey Bear Erik Burgdoerfer would also grab an assist on the goal.

The Bears faithful would not have to wait long as Chris Bourque would score off of the faceoff to even the score at two. But Gabriel Gangne would find the back of the net for his first goal of the season just seven seconds later to put the Senators back on top 3-2.

Milner made some impeccable glove saves including robbing Filip Chlapik in the second to keep the score 3-2.

Bellville would capitalize early in the third period as a Sigenthaler turnover would turn into a goal for Jack Rodewald making it 4-2. Feeling the mounting frustration, Tyler Lewington would drop the mitts with Belleville’s Max McCormick to try and spark the comeback for the Bears.

Chris DiDomenico would add an empty netter, making it 5-2, to seal the deal for Belleville and put them in the win column for the first time this season.

Photo: Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey