
Photo: JustSports/Hershey Bears
The Charlotte Checkers beat the Hershey Bears 5-2 Wednesday night at Giant Center in Hershey. With the win, the Checkers sweep the Bears 4-0 in the best-of-seven series and end the Bears 2018-2019 campaign.
STARTERS
Ilya Samsonov (2-2-0-0, 2.75 GAA, .909 sv%) started between the pipes for the Bears. Alex Nedeljkovic (5-1-0-1, 2.00 GAA, .919 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Checkers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Walker – Megna – Barber
Gersich – Pilon– Whitney
O’brien – Pinho – Malenstyn
Fejes – McCarthy – Spinner
Ness– Lewington
Geisser – Sproul
Johansen– Hobbs
Scratches: Mike Sgarbossa and Kris Bindulis (upper body) were the injury scratches. Joe Snively (School), Jusso Ikonen, Colby Williams, Hampus Gustafsson and Bobby Nardello were the healthy scratches for Game 4.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears struggles on the power play continued at the start of this one. Hershey was awarded an early 5-on-3 man advantage, but were unable to convert.
The Checkers would open the scoring with a goal from Aleksi Saarela at 14:25 of the first period. Charlotte’s goal was preceded by a costly turnover by Steve Whitney in the corner.
The Checkers open the scoring with a goal from Aleksi Saarela at 14:25 of the first period. pic.twitter.com/QN7srmntBa
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 8, 2019
The first frame would expire with the Checkers leading 1-0. Shots on goal were tied 5-5. Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play in the 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Checkers would make it 2-0 just 57 seconds into the middle frame with a power play goal from Julien Gauthier.
The Checkers make it 2-0 just 57 seconds into the middle frame with a power play goal from Julien Gauthier. pic.twitter.com/Nlw0jAO5Xk
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 8, 2019
The Checkers would make it 3-0 with Aleksi Saarela’s second goal of the game, a nasty wrister from the right circle.
The period would conclude with the Checkers leading 3-0. Charlotte outshot the Bears 13-5 for the second period and 19-10 after two periods. The Checkers were 1 for 2 and the Bears 0 for 3 on the power play through two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Checkers would stretch their lead to 4-0 with a power play goal from Tomas Jurco at 3:01 of the final frame.
The Bears would finally dent the twine with a power play goal from Jayson Megna at 5:37 of the final frame.
The Bears would cut the lead in half with a goal from Shane Gersich at 14:44 of the third period.
The Checkers would add an empty net goal from Aleksi Saarela, giving him the hat trick, and giving the Checkers the 5-2 win.
Bears salute fans as the 2018-2019 season comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/1RZ7L8dXM1
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) May 9, 2019
SHAVINGS
- Charlotte was 2 for 3 and the Bears 1 for 5 on the power play.
- Checkers outshot the Bears 23-18 for the game.
- Attendance: 7,360
- The AHL box score is here.
SCENES FROM HERSHEY
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxL4kjbAVkC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Thank you, Riley Barber.
Pingback: Hershey Bears Get Swept by Charlotte Checkers in Round Two (Photos) | NoVa Caps
Coach Spencer Carbery was most impressive this year, turning around an abysmal season start and leading to a pretty good playoff push. But the BIG Club should feel embarrassed by their p***-poor showing against CAR. — NHL Final Four is less appalling than in years past: SJS, STL, BOS and CAR. No “love” for any of them, but at least we don’t have to watch Cindy Crosby mug for the camera and skulk around with the Stanley Cup. No PHI, NYR, NYI, NJD, PIT or TBL left around to torment Caps fans! Let’s Go Blues! Time to end that 52-year No-Cup drought
❤️u🐻