Bears Lose Three-Goal Lead as Penguins Win, 4-3

Photo by Anthony Fabrikant/AFC Media.

It may have been the All-Star Break but the Bears were very busy over the past week. With some new guys adjusting to Hershey’s style of play and the league point leader on recall, it’s time for some of the guys to step up to the plate. No better time than against the rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

With minimal whistles, the first period flew by. There were no penalties and only a few icing calls; the first major break didn’t come until just about fifteen minutes in. Garrett Mitchell potted his third goal of the season after Patrick Wellar shot bounced off Andrew Carroll, who was in front of Brad Thiessen. Mitchell took the rebound and gave the Bears the first goal of the game.

The second period was kind to the Bears. First, Christian Hanson was able to score a dirty goal and chip the puck past Thiessen. Later, the Penguins didn’t give their goaltender much support and allowed three quick shots from the Bears. It took a shot from Bourque, Micflikier, and finally Tomas Kundratek to find the back of the net.

The third period was…not so kind. In the first five minutes of the period, the Bears blew their three-goal lead. Braden Holtby was screened for the first two goals. But after the third, he was pulled and replaced by Dany Sabourin.

The Penguins scored the game-winning goal late in the third period. With a feed from behind the net, Paul Thompson scored right in Sabourin’s face. With all their magic used up in the first two periods, the Bears couldn’t rally back. Hershey loses 4-3.

Tonight’s Notes:

• Did we mention that it was a very busy week for the Bears? To sum up: Cody Eakin and Joel Rechlicz were called up to Washington and then returned to Hershey. Keith Aucoin was called up yesterday.
• Let’s not forget the new guys! Mike Carman (wearing #26) and Kevin Marshall (#4) made their debuts as Hershey Bears. Carman earned his first point as a Bear with a secondary assist on Hanson’s goal.
• Kevin Marshall also technically got in a fight. Marshall was whistled for cross-checking when Ryan Craig came to his teammate’s defense and fought Marshall. To me, it was worth an instigator penalty but of course, it wasn’t called.
• Special teams stuff: Not too many penalties tonight. The Bears were oh-for-three with the man advantage. They allowed one goal on four WBS attempts. The only goal came during a 5-on-3 power play.

Lines and Pairings:

Kane – Eakin – Bourque
Greentree – Potulny – Mink
Carman – Hanson – Micflikier
King – Carroll – Mitchell

McNeill – Collins
Wellar – Kundratek
Brouillette – Marshall

Three stars of the game:

1. Paul Thompson (WBS)
2. Jason Williams (WBS)
3. Ryan Craig (WBS)