It’s been one of the worst prospects this season – a three-in-three that ends with a Sunday afternoon game in Bridgeport. But with the playoffs on the line and the lineup changes brought on by the trade deadline and the return of injured players, Hershey finally came away with a victory, 3-1.
Bridgeport got on the board first in the second period, but who else but Paul Carey played the hero. On the power play, Carey notched his 24th of the season and 6th of the weekend to tie the game.
Additionally, Carey, the game’s second star, assisted on Travis Boyd’s game-winner, also a power play goal that came with 1:32 left in the game. It was Boyd’s 13th of the season. Boyd was named first star.
With Halak out of the net for the Sound Tigers, Garrett Mitchell tacked on an empty net goal, his 10th of the season.
Christian Djoos, who also has had an enormous weekend, tacked on two assists. Boyd (56), Carey (55), and Djoos (51) all join Chris Bourque (56) in the 50+ point club. Boyd has now accomplished that feat in both seasons in Hershey.
But it was the play in net of Pheonix Copley (33 saves on 34 shots) that earned him second star honors. At one point in the third period, with Bridgeport pressing, Copley lost his stick, but made two incredible saves in the sequence before retrieving the stick.
Additionally Hershey’s PK turned in another perfect performance, going 5 for 5. Hershey’s PP went 2 for 4.
Also making an appearance on the score sheet for the Bears were Chris Bourque (1 A), Ryan Bourque (1 A), and Hubert Labrie (1A). The game highlights from the Sound Tigers:
Missed today’s game? Here’s a look back at the action against @TheHersheyBears. pic.twitter.com/jTydcYfqZr
— The Sound Tigers (@TheSoundTigers) March 19, 2017
With Providence losing to Utica, Hershey vaulted into third place in the Atlantic Division. The Bears now have 83 points. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the division with 87. Lehigh Valley has 84. Both teams have two games in hand.
Hershey returns to Giant Center in a rare Wednesday night game against Binghamton before heading off to St. John’s.
By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler
@NoVa_Caps this one might be even better – Fun with @Mitchy1_0 pic.twitter.com/jF6npi5tQl
— Beids (@juliebeidler) March 18, 2017
Was Sill injured? How about Walker, Williams and Ness; healthy scratches? How did Backman and Gustafsson look today?
Sill has missed back-to-back games with an upper body injury. Ness was listed as a lower body injury scratch today. I believe Walker was a game-time decision. As to Gustafsson, he looked pretty good last night. I wasn’t at the game today, but the guys said he’s catching on to the speed of the AHL game very well. Backman was out in warm-ups last night, so that may have been planned. Hershey has five healthy scratches and Siegenthaler is due to fly in tomorrow. Also heard Hobbs may be arriving as well.
Awesome Bears coverage. Thanks!
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