Holtby Blocks Norfolk in 2-0 Hershey Victory

Kyle Greentree sneaks the puck past Dustin Tokarski to give Hershey the lead. Photo by Kyle.

It’s very curious to me that when the two best offensive teams in the league play each other, the game ends up being a low-scoring event. The Norfolk Admirals are the league leaders in goal scoring but only managed to score one goal the first time they played Hershey this season.

Ironically, that was the last time Braden Holtby let in a goal. Tonight was his fourth shutout of the season. Thanks to Tim Leone for help with this stat: Holtby has now played 173 minutes and 37 seconds without letting in a goal, including two complete shutouts. While Dany Sabourin may be struggling to find his groove, Holtby is holding down the fort.

Despite winning both games against the Admirals, the Bears themselves have not been able to score as much as usual either. Kyle Greentree scored the eventual game-winner during the first period. The Bears were on the power play and Greentree shot the puck towards the goal. I think Dustin Tokarski was more concerned with Andrew Gordon‘s placement on the doorstep than with Greentree’s shot, which then hit Tokarski and deflected in.

Zach Miskovic added a little insurance during the second period. Keith Aucoin had an absolutely beautiful cross-ice pass to Miskovic who then one-timed it into the net. John Walton noted that the goal was Miskovic’s fifth of the season, but his third in the past week. It’s good to see him finding a style that works for him and feeling comfortable joining the offense. As proven in the past week, he can be quite the offensive threat.

I found it interesting that the Norfolk Admirals opted not to pull Tokarski until there was under half a minute left in the game. Interesting strategy for a team that was down two goals and about to get shut out.

Nevertheless, Hershey gains another valuable two points and downs Norfolk 2-0.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Another two referee night for Hershey. Another night with a lot of penalties piling up for both teams, especially during the first period.
• Towards the end of the game, Steve Pinizzotto was hit and painfully made his way to the bench. It looked to be possibly a lower body injury. He did try and skate it off so hopefully it’s nothing serious.
• John Walton informed listeners that former Bear, Quintin Laing was named Captain of the Abbotsford Heat. Not bad for a guy who started the season without a job.
• This seems to be the flu bug that never ends. Just as Ashton Rome recovered from his bout with illness, Sean Collins was not at his best with the same disease.

Video Highlights:

Lines and Pairings:

Gordon – Aucoin – Bouchard
Greentree – Willsie – Pinizzotto
Kane – Joudrey – Kugryshev
Lacroix – Rome – Rechlicz

P. McNeill – Fahey
Collins – Wellar
Kroll – Miskovic

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Braden Holtby (HER)
2. Keith Aucoin (HER)
3. Zach Miskovic (HER)

Sweetest Hockey On Earth’s three stars of the game:

1. Holtby: stopped 22 shots to get his fourth shutout of the game
2. Aucoin: two assists
3. Greentree: game-winning goal

More Photos by Kyle M.

The team celebrates after Miskovic’s goal.

McNeill and Aucoin congratulate Holtby on his fourth shutout of the season.