The Hershey Bears beat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Giant Center in Hershey. The win improves the Bears record to 3-0-2-0 (8 points) on the season.

STARTERS
Zach Fucale (0-0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Max Lagace (0-0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, .000 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Penguins. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Scratches: Martin Fehervary (upper body injury), Paul LaDue (upper body injury), Eddie Whittchow (lower body injury), Tyler Nanne, Kale Kessy, Caleb Herbert, Mason Morelli, Steve Whitney.

FIRST PERIOD
The Bears were called for an early double-minor after Blake Pietila waved a high stick that drew blood at 4:15 of the first frame, and it would cost the Bears. Zach Nastasiuk (1) would redirect a shot from the point by John Lizotte at 6:27 of the first frame.

The Bears would tie the game with a power play goal from Connor McMichael (2) at 8:39 of the first period to make it 1-1. Matt Moulson (3) and Garrett Pilon (4) had the helpers.

Connor McMichael with his second goal of the season, ties the game 1-1. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/lOG0qNvayk

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 20, 2021

The first period would expire with the game tied 1-1. The Bears led in shots 14-13 for the first 20 minutes. The Bears were 1 for 3 and the Penguins 1 for 2 on the power play in the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would take the lead with a goal from Connor McMichael at 1:19 of the second period, his second goal of the game. McMichael would make a nice steal on defense, then drive the ice and finish.

Nice pick and snipe by Connor McMichael, his second goal of the game. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/O5wMb365I0

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 20, 2021

The second period would end with the Bears leading 2-1.  The Penguins led in shots 13-12 in the middle frame with shots on goal tied 26-26 after two periods. The Penguins were 1 for 4 and the Bears 1 for 3 on the power play after 40 minutes.

THIRD PERIOD
The Bears would add an empty net goal from Connor McMichael, his third goal of the game, making it 3-1.

Connor Mc-Hatty! Bears lead 3-1 late in third period. ##ALLCAPS #CapsProspect pic.twitter.com/QMVwSzu22o

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) February 20, 2021

And that would be the final.

The Bears are back in action on Wednesday when they visit the Penguins in Wilkes-Barre. Puck drop is set for 5:00 pm.

NOTES

• Attendance: 404
• AHL box score
• Stars of the game: 1) Connor McMichael, 2) Zach Fucale and 3) Garrett Pilon
• Penguins led in shots 35-30.
• Connor McMichael led the Bears in shots with 5. Joe Snively had 4 shots.
• Zach Fucale stopped 34 of 35 shots for a .971 game save percentage.
• Bears were 1 for 6 and the Penguins 1 for 4 on the power play.

SHAVINGS

• The Bears have yet to lose in regulation.
• Connor McMichael’s hat trick was the first of the season in the AHL.
• Connor McMichael becomes the first Bear to have a multi-goal game this season.
• The Bears have yet to lead after the first period in the first five games this season.
• Lucas Johansen was hit late in the first period and left the game. He did not return. This is the last sighting of Johansen in the first period.

By Jon Sorensen

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