HERSHEY, Pa. — Game 6 was a tale of two periods. The Hershey Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period, but the Providence Bruins responded with three goals in the second to force a Game 7 on Wednesday night.

Chandler Stephenson recorded Hershey’s first goal. With Zane McIntyre far outside of the crease to his left, Stephenson saw nothing but empty net and did not hesitate to put the Bears in front with a PP goal. Chris Bourque and Travis Boyd earned the assists.

Bourque then recorded a goal of his own. Stephenson was dragged down from behind at center ice, but managed to push the puck ahead to Bourque who scored his 6th goal of the postseason on a breakaway.

It was all Providence in the second and third periods as the Bruins scored four unanswered goals, starting with a tally just 37 seconds into the middle frame. It was Danton Heinen’s 5th goal of the playoffs.

That goal was followed by the tying tally from Colton Hargrove 6:18 into the middle frame. Chris Porter got the eventual game-winner with just 23 seconds left in the second. All three goals in the second period would come right in front of Vitek Vanecek, as the Bears defense would have difficulty clearing the crease in the middle frame.

In the third, Austin Czarnik tacked on an insurance goal as the Bruins forced Game 7 on Wednesday night.

GAME 6 HIGHLIGHTS:

Hershey’s PP was 1-for-5 on the evening. The PK was a perfect 4-for-4. Vanecek stopped 30 of 34 shots in the losing effort for Hershey. Games stats can be accessed here. The Bears’ game recap can be read here.

The puck will drop at 7:00 at Giant Center Wednesday night.

SERIES SUMMARY:
Game 1 – Sat., May 6 – Providence 3, HERSHEY 1
Game 2 – Sun., May 7 – HERSHEY 3, Providence 2 (OT)
Game 3 – Thu., May 11 – Hershey 2, PROVIDENCE 1 (OT)
Game 4 – Fri., May 12 – Hershey at Providence, 7:05
Game 5 – Sun., May 14 – Hershey at Providence, 3:05
Game 6 – Tue., May 16 – Providence at Hershey, 7:00
Game 7 – Wed., May 17 – Providence at Hershey, 7:00

By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler

PHOTOS FROM GAME 6:

@TheHersheyBears who did Happy Feet Better? VP Helmer or @Mitchy1_0 pic.twitter.com/rpChqtje0b

— Beids (@juliebeidler) May 16, 2017