Bears Top Devils 5-3 in Atlantic City Showdown

Okay, first off: nobody panic. Just because Braden Holtby and Dany Sabourin are out with knee injuries does not mean we need to panic (more on that to come).

Tonight’s game against the Albany Devils was already circled on our calendars. Instead of being played in Albany, the game took place in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall, home of the now-defunct Boardwalk Bullies. But with the added obstacle of being backstopped by two ECHL goalies, this game got a whole lot more interesting.

The Bears stumbled a bit right out the gate when Albany took the early lead. However, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond was called for a roughing penalty late in the period and Andrew Gordon made him pay. He tied it up right off the draw for the ensuing power play. Tie game after one.

Continuing to exchange back-and-forth goals, the Devils regained their lead when they scored on a rebound shot. Thankfully, Hershey’s power play was there to tie it up once again, this time with a shot from Francois Bouchard. It would be Brian Willsie‘s 20th goal of the season that gave the Bears their first lead of the game going into the final period.

Just like the first period, the Devils got the early goal in third. But Willsie didn’t take too kindly to this and countered with his second goal of the night on the (you guessed it) power play! Able to hold down their lead, the Bears wrapped it up with an empty net goal courtesy of Boyd Kane. Bears win 5-3.

Todd Ford wasn’t called on to make too many saves but he was pretty solid, especially against some monster shots, including a breakaway attempt. Thanks in part to him, the Bears extend their winning streak to seven straight games. Like I said, don’t panic.

Tonight’s Notes:

• As predicted, Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault return to Hershey was a brief one. After the All-Star break, they were recalled to Washington.
• Great night for the special teams. In addition to capitalizing on three of four power plays, they were perfect on the penalty kill, stopping all four of Albany’s power plays.
• In a move surprising to absolutely no one, Joel Rechlicz and Leblond battled it out yet again. For their other battles, read up on the last time these two teams met.

Actual three stars of the game:

1. Brian Willsie (HER)
2. Stephen Gionta (ALB)
3. Chad Wiseman (ALB)

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

1. Willsie: two goals including the game winner
2. Pinizzotto: two primary assists
3. Gordon: first goal for the Bears