Braden Holtby Earns Fourth Shutout Over Penguins
HERSHEY, PA – Jeff Taffe and Jon DiSalvatore are joined by Ryan Potulny after Taffe’s empty netter goal in Hershey’s 2-0 win over Wilkes-Barre (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)
The weather outside was frightful, but the Giant Center ice was delightful for the the Hershey Bears’ Braden Holtby. He recorded his fourth shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
A game after being shutout at home, an early goal by Garrett Mitchell only 3:56 in was just what the doctor ordered for Hershey. Mitchell easily sent a rebound into a wide-open net following a Ryan Potulny shot in the slot. Potulny’s chance was formed via a sloppy Penguins turnover in their own defensive end.
It was the lone tally for either team during the opening period. Shots after 20 minutes were 13-12 in favor of the Penguins.
Wilkes-Barre failed to find the equalizer in the period as the Bears were held to three shots in the middle period. Braden Holtby then went on to slam the door in the third period to complete a 33 save shutout over the Penguins. Jeff Taffe added the empty net goal with 47.1 left to secure a 2-0 win for Hershey.
More photos from tonight’s game:
Braden Holtby gets ready before tonight’s game
Garrett Mitchell listens to the National Anthem
Cameron Schilling fights Trevor Smith in the corner
Steve Oleksy joins the celebration after Garrett Mitchell’s goal
Oleksy plays the puck behind the net
Holtby plays the puck in front of the net
Referee David Banfield sports a Sandy Hook sticker on the back of his helmet
Birthday boy Tomas Kundratek down ice
DAAAAAAA BEARS