Game Recap: Hershey at Lehigh Valley 12/6/19.

The first of a 3-in-3 kicked off in Lehigh Valley on Friday night against the Phantoms, as the Bears faced their divisional foe for the fourth time this season. 

Entering play on Friday night, the Chocolate and White sat 6th in the Atlantic Division standings, with a 9-9-2-3 record and 23 points, sitting right on the heels of fifth-place, the Phantoms with their 10-8-1-4 record, good enough for 25 points in the Atlantic. They both were looking to capitalize on the back to back games and climb up the standings.

The first period brought a lot of energy from both sides. Both teams registered 13 shots on goal in the opening stanza, and a goal apiece. Matt Moulson got the scoring started for the Bears early in the first, netting his sixth goal of the season. After Hershey’s aggressive forecheck in the offensive end, particularly from Liam O’Brien, set up a scoring chance that Moulson would eventually finish. Giving the Bears a one goal advantage. Vitek Vanecek looked sharp all the way up until the final two minutes of play. When a Eddie Wittchow closing the hand on the puck penalty, led to an Andy Welinski goal for Lehigh Valley. Bringing the score to 1-1 after the first 20 minutes of play. 

Into the second period, the Chocolate and White brought the heat. Tallying 16 shots on goal, the majority of which, came in the first ten minutes of the period. 14:11 into the second, the Bears trickled the twine again. This time from Joe Snively, who has been red hot for the Bears lately. Recording his 4th point in his last four games. Once again Hershey’s strong forecheck led to offensive success, as the likes of Eddie Wittchow and Liam O’Brien, worked hard in the dirty areas of the ice to keep the puck in the offensive zone for the Bears. Late in the period, however, controversy struck. After a Shane Gersich delay of game penalty, Beck Malenstyn had his helmet knocked off while carrying the puck through neutral ice. Getting him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This gave the Phantoms over a minute and a half of 5 on 3 power playtime. But coach Scott Allen’s PK units stayed resilient through those 90 plus seconds. They were able to kill off the 2 man advantage. And take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. In what was the most impressive display of penalty killing this season to date. 

Into the third period, the Bears looked to hang on to their lead. Something that they have struggled within the last few games. Even in the win against Hartford this past Sunday, Hershey had a 3-2 lead in the final minute, and let the Wolf Pack tie the game to force OT, only to win it in the extra session. The Chocolate and White would do just that on Friday night. Clamping down defensively and continuing the strong forechecking that led to their offensive success in the first 40 minutes of the game. In a conversation with Beck Malenstyn after the pregame skate Friday morning, he echoed the importance of a strong forecheck saying “getting in on the forecheck” and “causing turnovers” gets the boys going and brings the “energy” to the lineup. Speaking of Beck Malenstyn, the biggest highlight of the third period was his hit on Lehigh Valley’s Mark Friedman. Friedman, who gives up a little bit of size to Malenstyn, was hit up high along the boards by the Hershey bench by Beck. Who hit him with a “bee sting” like hit. Causing him to crumple to the ice and end up needing assistance to get off the ice and into the locker room. Friedman did not return to the game. The Chocolate and White would keep the Phantoms in check for the rest of the period, including a flurry of chances with Alex Lyon pulled in the final minute. But the Bears’ defense was able to stay strong through the final moments of the game and securing a 2-1 win for the Bears. This 2-1 winn marks their first win on the road, since Oct. 19th against Laval. 

The Bears and Phantoms will be fresh in each other’s minds as they will rematch tomorrow night at Giant Center.