Norfolk’s Five Goals Spoils Teddy Bear Toss Night

HERSHEY, PA – Emerson Etem scores his first of two goals for Norfolk in their 5-1 win over the Hershey Bears (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

It’s one of the most awaited games each season by the fans, and Saturday night it finally arrived. The Hershey Bears took on the Norfolk Admirals in the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night. Emerson Etem tallied two goals for Norfolk in a 5-1 win over Hershey.

Often fans enter the doors of Giant Center hours prior to game time thinking, “Who will win” and “How will the team perform?” But tonight, the common thought in mind was “Who will score the goal” and How long will it take?”

Norfolk would tally twice at the 5:03 and 11:26 marks to take an early 2-0 lead. Emerson Etem fired a one-timer set up my Patrick Maroon to the roof of the net, followed by a Peter Holland short-side shot on Braden Holtby. Bears’ fans would have to wait for second period action to throw their stuffed animals, as the score after 20 minutes was 2-0 Admirals.

Hershey fans finally received their answer at the 58 seconds mark of the middle period, seconds following a third Norfolk goal by John Mitchell. After Ryan Potulny blasted a shot off the goal post, Tomas Kundratek one-timed the rebound past Frederik Andersen, into the net.

Despite the fact that Kundratek’s goal came only 58 seconds into the frame, it would be the final mark of the period, as the score after 40 minutes was 3-1 Norfolk. Through 40 minutes the Bears’ power play struggled, not capitalizing on five chances, including a 5-on-3.

Into the third period the Bears continued their power play struggles, as Emerson Etem added his second goal with 5:44 remaining to put the game out of reach for Hershey. Only 1:06 later Devante Smith-Pelly cashed in on the power play for Norfolk to put a bow on a 5-1 onslaught.

More photos from tonight’s game

Former Bears coach, Bruce Boudreau, was at the game tonight watching Ducks affiliate Norfolk play the Chocolate and White

Alex Berry drops the mitts