Game Four Primer: What Would You Change?
The Bears suffered their first defeat of the series Wednesday night by a 2-0 result. Head coach
Todd Nelson echoed very blunt sentiments about his team’s performance in saying that Lehigh
Valley Phantoms played like men, whereas the Bears – in his assessment – played like boys.
Special teams dictated that game’s result, where two power-play goals by the Phantoms in just
under two minutes in the first period proved to be all they needed.
It’s a game where the Bears fell flat. They failed to generate sustained pressure at even strength
and on the power play, where the Chocolate and White are currently 1-for-12 on the man
advantage through three games. The penalty kill – perfect up until last game – experienced some
leaks in their coverage.
But not all is gloom and doom. Despite playing poorly, they only gave up two goals. Goaltender
Hunter Shepard was outstanding in keeping the team’s chances alive until the very end.
It’s extremely difficult to sweep any team as we’ve seen now two seasons in a row. Last season,
Hershey defeated the Charlotte Checkers in the first two games of the series, lost game three on
home ice and then eliminated the Checkers in game four.
Hershey’s track record following losses this season is well noted. The team has shown time and
time again that the players are hungry to rectify the wrongs by not losing twice in a row in
regulation all season. While they have to wait a little bit until their next tilt, they’ll go over video
to see how they can improve.
If you’re Nelson, what changes would you make? Would you abandon the five forward top
power play unit? Who moves up and down the lineup? We want to hear from you!
Game four will be the biggest game of the season for both teams. One is looking to stave off
elimination, while the other is looking to squash this series from going the distance.
Win a road game, win a series.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Saturday at PPL Center.
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Run it back with no changes unless Sutter or Iorio healed up from their injuries. As you stated, all year long the game plan has worked.