Bears Erupt in Third Period, Win Big Over Devils

HERSHEY, PA – Dane Byers celebrates with Ryan Stoa after his goal in the third period during Hershey’s 4-1 win over Albany (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

It was a rare Friday night home game on Giant Center ice, and nothing short of the biggest win of the season. Trailing 1-0 entering the final stanza against the Albany Devils, the Hershey Bears responded with four unanswered goals and cruised to an astonishing 4-1 win.

With out of town help provided by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Bears are now within three points of the eighth and final playoff spot.

The bounces went in Albany’s favor in the opening two periods, and a first frame, fluke goal was the only source of scoring in the game’s opening 40 minutes.

In the dying seconds of the first period, the Devils’ went to work on their first power play of the night. A deflected puck in the low-slot rain bowed over David Leggio and into the net at the 19:47 mark. The tally was credited to Stefan Matteau.

For both sides, it was a good defensive period with efficient puck movement to create outlet passes out of harm’s way. Shots on goal after one period were 12-7 Albany.

A defensive gridlock in the second stanza kept the game 1-0, with help from various key saves by Leggio and a disallowed Devils’ goal via high stick deflection.

It set the stage for the third period of the season, one which contributed four unanswered goals in a span of about ten minutes.

Dane Byers put the Chocolate and White on the scoreboard and tied the game at the 49:51 mark on the power play. Kris Newbury fed the captain camped out in the slot area with room for a quick release. You could feel the momentum shift and the waves of Hershey’s offensive presence even before the goal.

Chay Genoway gave his club a lead with 5:57 to play and sent the Giant Center crowd into a frenzy. Casey Wellman added his second assist of the night with the primary helper.

The Bears did not look back and hung on to their only lead of the night, but not before adding insurance. Brandon Segal added another power play goal with 1:01 left on the clock following a beautiful set up by Jeff Taffe. The goal game via a quick 2-on-0 rush from the corner boards.

Segal added an empty netter in the final seconds to secure the 4-1 victory in front of 10,149 fans. Hershey returns to the ice tomorrow with a home tilt against the St. John’s IceCaps.

More photos from the game:

Chay Genoway celebrates his goal during the third period Friday night

David Leggio looks on as the Chocolate and White salutes the crowd after the game