Photo: Syracuse Crunch

The Hershey Bears beat the Syracuse Crunch 2-1 Friday night at War Memorial Arena in Syracuse. After a scoreless first, the team’s exchanged power play goals in the middle frame for a 1-1 tie at the second intermission. Aaron Ness would add a goal for the Bears late in the third for the 2-1 win. The Bears return to action Saturday night when they visit the Devils in Binghamton. Puck drop is 7:05 p.m. 

STARTERS
Pheonix Copley started in goal for the visiting Bears. Peter Budaj started between the pipes for the Crunch. The Bears starting forward lines and defensive pairs:

Forwards:
Walker-Graovac-Simpson
Whitney-McGauley-Barber
Bourque-Langlois-Gazley
O’Brien-Sill-G.Mitchell
Defensive Pairs:
Ness-Lewington
Johansen-Williams
Siegenthaler-Hughes

Scratches – Mathias Bau, Connor Hobbs, Anthony Peluso, Mason Mitchell, Hampus Gustafsson, Adam Chapie and Paul Geiger.

FIRST PERIOD
The Crunch’s captain Erik Condra was called for two successive penalties in the early going, but the Bears were unable to capitalize on both man-advantages. The Crunch were awarded a penalty shot on a short-handed breakaway during the second Condra penalty but missed on the attempt.

The Bears would head to their third power play of the opening frame just 8:33 into the contest, but the Bears would once again come up empty.

The first period would ultimately end up scoreless. The Crunch led in shots on goal 8-5 for the first 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would finally get on the scoreboard with a power play goal by Tyler Graovac at 2:51 of the middle frame. Aaron Ness and Wayne Simpson were credited with the helpers. This was the Bears 4th power play of the game.

Down to 8:46 left in the 2nd period. Tied 1-1, here’s how Tyler Graovac opened the game’s scoring on the man-advantage #HBH pic.twitter.com/iOkZ5i5kGA

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 10, 2018

The Crunch would even things up with a power play goal of their own by Matthieu Joseph at 7:56 of the second period.

The period ended with the game tied 1-1. Syracuse led in shots on goal 21-12 after two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD
The Bears and Crunch would do battle for most of the final frame without a tally. Finally, Aaron Ness would find the back of the net at 13:22, giving the Bears a 2-1 lead. Tyler Graovac was credited with the lone assist.

4:23 left in regulation. Watch how Aaron Ness gave the Bears a late 3rd period lead! #HBH pic.twitter.com/4Y4P02aFIK

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 10, 2018

The Bears would hang on for the 2-1 win. Syracuse outshot Hershey 30-18 for the game. Copley was sharp, stopping 29 of 30 shots, including a penalty shot.

SHAVINGS

• The AHL box score is here.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS