Graham Mink collides with a Norfolk Admiral. Photo by John Wright.
It’s almost time for the All-Star break but first the Hershey Bears have to play back-to-back games against the Norfolk Admirals.
The Hershey Bears have picked up many rivals throughout the years. It’s not much of a secret that these teams always play a tough game against each other. The first period saw seven combined penalties and no score.
Ryan Potulny and Jacob Micflikier celebrate a comeback. All Photos by Kyle Mace.
You know it will be an interesting night when Darth Vader drops the puck for the ceremonial face-off. Indeed it was Star Wars night as the Bears took on the Senators in Binghamton.
Things started off strong for the Bears. Graham Mink earned the first goal of the game only 29 seconds into the game. Later in the period, the Senators tied it up with a shot from the face-off circle that eluded Dany Sabourin.
The Bears responded quickly, however. Matt Ford was right in front of the net to shoot a rebound past a sprawling Robin Lehner. That lead lasted until the Senators got a late power play. Binghamton not only scored on that power play, but also scored two more times in the remaining minute of the period. It had quickly gone from a Bears lead to all Binghamton momentum.
Patrick McNeill celebrates his first goal of the game (All photos by Kyle Mace)
After an interesting game last night against Adirondack, Hershey played another weird one tonight after Rochester would score three goals in the third period and send the game to overtime and then a shootout. But the result was the same, as Hershey wins 4-3 over the Americans (SO.)
Bourque celebrates his short-handed goal against the Phantoms. All photos by Kyle Mace.
It’s hard to follow a huge game like the Outdoor Classic, but with the same teams playing, it makes for an interesting rematch. Speaking of the Outdoor Classic, have you checked out Kyle’s recap and amazing photos?
Unlike last night, the Phantoms scored the first goal of the game. Andrew Rowe scored by banking a shot off of Danny Richmond. Not a whole lot Richmond or Dany Sabourin could have done.
The Bears tied it up late in the same period with a patented Chris Bourque short-handed goal. It was a big goal for his 20th of the season.
Geoff Walker wins it for the Penguins in the shootout. All photos by Kyle Mace.
After quite the trumping of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last night, the Bears had a lot to live up to, especially in front of a filled-to-the-brim Giant Center.
The first period didn’t live up to the energy that everyone thought it would have. Both teams were keeping calm, perhaps saving their energy for the later periods. The Penguins had two power play opportunities but, thanks to Dany Sabourin, it was scoreless after one.
Braden Holtby shut out the WBS Penguins. Photo by Anthony Fabrikant / AFC Media.
The Bears are great at having strong starts, but they usually struggle to get those strong starts when they play the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Tonight, they broke through.
It was defensemen who started the show. First, Matt Ford was stopped on a wraparound attempt but Tomas Kundratek stuffed home the rebound. A few minutes later, Julien Brouillette extended the lead when he scored on a screened Brad Thiessen.
To top off the first period, Patrick McNeill scored short-side during a power play to make it 3-0 after twenty minutes. Not only were all three goals from defensemen, but they were also the fifth goal of the season for each player.
Your #4 Star of the night, Joel Rechlicz and Santa. All photos by Kyle Mace.
Tonight, against the Syracuse Crunch, the Bears hosted their social media promotion night, a nifty gimmick for those involved in the internet side of sports fandom. Luckily, the players gave us plenty to tweet about.
Known for their strong starts, the Bears were buzzing right away. Matt Ford continued his point streak when he scored on the first shot of the game. Unfortunately, a Syracuse 5-on-3 power play killed some of the momentum, especially when Patrick Maroon scored on Dany Sabourin. Sabourin made a great initial save but Maroon was there for the rebound. Tie game.
Before the Hershey – Derry Township Historical Society’s dinner “A Night at the Old Barn” I had the chance to sit down with broadcasting legend Mike “Doc” Emrick in a one-on-one interview. Doc was asked to be the keynote speaker for the dinner and very humbly accepted. Earlier in his broadcasting career, Doc worked for the AHL’s Maine Mariners and had broadcast games at the Hersheypark Arena. Later he was hired as the play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Flyers. During his time with the Flyers (and later with the New Jersey Devils) Doc and his wife were residents of Hershey. It was during that time that he used to attend games in the Old Barn as his time would allow.
Tenacity and determination lifted the Bears past Providence. Photo by Kyle Mace.
With each game, the Bears’ losing streak gets more and more disheartening. Tonight was a chance to turn things around and play a full game against the Providence Bruins.
The Bears tend to have strong starts and tonight was no exception. Just 18 seconds after puck drop, the first line combined for the first goal of the night. Chris Bourque scored his tenth goal of the season from the right face-off circle past Anton Khudobin.
The Bruins tied it up halfway through the period. David Warsofsky beat Dany Sabourin, who appeared pretty frustrated with letting that one in. The Bears answered with a goal of their own. Brett Flemming scored with a quick goal off the face-off.
Photo of the NHL’s float for the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from Yahoo’s Puck Daddy.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the USA. I hope you all have safe travels if you are venturing out. Hopefully we can start giving thanks tonight with a win in the Giant Center.
Earlier this week Dmitry Orlov was called up to the Caps. Kathryn talks about his first NHL game. [SHoE]
Giant Center is the best place to play in the AHL according to Graham Mink. [LDN]
Joel Rechlicz talks about fighting his friend and mentor. [PennLive]
The Old Barn Hockey Show highlights. [OBHS]
Cody Eakin returns to Winnipeg and is enjoying every second of his time in Washington. [CSN Wash]
The NHL Players Association has a “Meet the Rookies” video on Eakin. [NHLPA]