Bears Power Play Starts Clicking After Slow Start in Playoffs

As the Hershey Bears were in control of their playoff series against Lehigh Valley, up 2-1against the Phantoms, the biggest question going through everyone’s mind was “what’s up with the Bears Power Play?” 

One of the best units in the AHL throughout the whole regular season, had been grounded by an aggressive and effective Lehigh Valley penalty kill in those first three games. Hershey had only converted on one of twelve power play opportunities, and after an 0-5 performance in the 2-0 game three loss in Allentown, it was the most obvious issue the Bears had in front of them. 

The Bears did finally get back on track starting in game four. While only going 1-4 with their opportunities, the passing was crisper, the movement was quicker, and the chances were much greater. It paid off as well, as the goal Ethen Frank scored on the power play ended up being the game winner. 

Now armed with a couple extra days of practice and rest after finishing off the Phantoms in four, the Bears power play continued its momentum in game one of the Atlantic Division Finals last night. 

Hershey, already up 1-0 on the visiting Wolf Pack, got another conversion thanks to one of the most wicked snipes you will see from Ethen Frank. Frank, who has been tightly defended by opponents on the Power Play all season, was able to get open thanks to some great movement on the right side from Joe Snively, Hendrix Lapierre and Alex Limoges and buried a one timer as he was down on one knee to put the Bears up 2-0.

That goal would indeed end up being the game winner, but it would be fair to argue that the Bears second power play goal of the night was the most important one. With Hartford cutting the Bears lead to one, the next goal was crucial, and it was another power play marker, this time from Alex Limoges. Limoges found himself wide open in front of the net, thanks again to strong movement from Snively and Lapierre on the right side. He buried a rebound in front to put the Bears back up two goals and put them back on the front foot. 

Limoges said after the game, “We really focused on that (movement on the power play) this week. It was tough against Lehigh with the way they killed because they try to seal the top and force you into a corner. With these guys, we’re trying to make the first move and get those open seam passes to guys open down low.”

The Bears will look to continue that success in game two on Saturday night back at the Giant Center.