Photos: @ReicherStudios
The Hershey Bears (1-4-0-1) wrapped-up their three-games-in-three-days midwestern road trip on Sunday with a visit to the Rockford IceHogs (5-1-0-0) at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, Illinois.
PREGAME
On Saturday night, Bears forward Chandler Stephenson notched his first career hat trick and Bears goalie Adam Carlson won his AHL debut over the defending champion Grand Rapids Griffins, by a score of 4-2.
In Sunday’s finale to the three-game midwestern road trip, the Bears returned to Friday night’s starter, Parker Milner (0-3-1, 3.97, .864) in goal. This was Milner’s 5th start of the season. Hershey entered the game with the League’s top penalty kill unit (92.9%). The IceHogs were 25% on the power play coming into the game.
The IceHogs entered the game seeking to stretch their winning streak to three games as they faced the Hershey Bears for the first time in franchise history. The IceHogs started Jean-Francois Berube (3-0-0, 1.95, .939) in goal.
LINES
Bears Lines:
Bourque-Stephenson-G.Mitchell
Simpson-Boyd-Barber
Albert-Sill-Langlois
M.Mitchell-Gustafson-O’Brien
Siegenthaler-Williams
Bindulis-Lewington
Laurie-Hobbs
Scratches – Lucas Johansen, Dustin Gazley, Anthony Peluso, Mathias Bau, Pheonix Copley and Vitek Vanecek.
IceHogs Lines
Iacopelli-Kampf-Jurco
Louis-Johnson-Hinostoza
Dauphin-Highmore-Pelletier
Knott-Sikura-Martinsen
Gus-Raddysh
Sved-Pokka
Dahl-Norell
FIRST PERIOD
The IceHogs were benefactors of the games first power play at 1:26 of the opening frame. The IceHogs had three nice chances, but missed the net wide on all three shots, and would come up empty on the games’ first man advantage.
However, the Bears slow starts to games would continue in this one. Shortly after the penalty expired, the IceHogs notched the games first tally on a goal by Graham Knott at the 4:55 mark. Rockford led in shots on goal 4-2 through the first 10 minutes of play.
The IceHogs would stretch their lead to 2-0 on a goal by Mathewson Iacapelli at the 15:34 mark of the opening stanza. Iacapelli gathered his own rebound from the right circle and finished with a wrister, beating Milner glove side.
The first period would end with the IceHogs leading 2-0. Bears led in shots on goal 10-9 for the first 20 minutes of play. Both teams went 0 for 1 on the man advantage. The Bears played well and showed energy for the opening frame, but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
SECOND PERIOD
Hershey’s penalty parade would continue as the Bears would head to the penalty kill just 18 seconds into the middle frame. Jonas Siegenthaler was called for elbowing, however the IceHogs would fail to convert on the man advantage.
The Bears would return to the penalty kill at 13:40 when Garrett Mitchell was called for holding. The IceHogs would be called for a penalty 20 seconds later, killing the Hogs man advantage, but the Bears would be called for a slashing penalty shortly thereafter, giving the IceHogs a 4-on-3 man advantage, and the IceHogs would capitalize. Viney Hinestroza would finish a 3-on-1 breakaway for a power play goal at 7:41, giving Rockford a 3-0 lead.
The second period would end with the IceHogs leading 3-0. The IceHogs led in shots on goal 13-10 for the middle frame, and 22-20 through two periods of play. The list of second period infractions:
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears stepped up the pressure in the early going of the final frame. Zach Sill knocked one off the cross-bar 90 seconds in, but no damages were done.
The IceHogs would stretch their lead to 4-0 on a goal by Erik Gustafsson at the 4:29 mark of the third period. Gustafsson beat Milner clean with rocket from the slot.
The Bears penalty-palooza would continue, yielding a 5-on-3 power play for Rockford when Tyler Lewington was called for slashing at 5:57. The Bears would kill the Lewington penalty and the remainder of the Mitchell 10-minute misconduct without further damages.
The IceHogs with add a fifth goal, this time with a close-range slapper by Viktor Svedberg, who would go top-corner on Milner’s glove-side at 14:51. The game would end with the IceHogs taking it 5-0.
Shavings:
- The Bears now have one win in the first six games this season.
- Bears were outshot 11-3 for the final period, and 33-23 for the game.
- Bears where whistled for 9 penalties in the game.
The AHL box score can be found here.
Hershey Bears media kit is here.
Hershey Bears game recap is here.
The Bears return to action Friday night with another road test, this time against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.
By Jon Sorensen
SCENES FROM ROCKFORD
Last game of the Midwest trip here in Rockford! pic.twitter.com/uOcFfX73mE
— Dillon Filepas (@DFilepas26) October 22, 2017
Hershey already up to tricks. Fit the entire team in the back of a U-Haul, clown-car style 🤔pic.twitter.com/psQMc7uKqB
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) October 22, 2017
The @ViewsFromBooth in Rockford. First ever meeting between @TheHersheyBears and @goicehogs. #HBH pic.twitter.com/G8E6swQmDx
— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) October 22, 2017
Can anyone comment on how the young D like Siegs, Hobbs and Lewy played?
They are still learning the rope, imho. They need time, but eventually Bears should have a pretty tough defense.
It’s certainly been rough for the Bears this year. Losing BOTH their Number 1 AND their Number 2 goalie doesn’t help the team win at all. Reports are that Copley could be back soon.
Lots of young defensemen, too.