Phil Maillet and Brian Pinho Lead Bears in 6-2 Drubbing Of Phantoms

Photo: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

The Hershey Bears dumped the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 6-2 Wednesday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. The victory improves the Bears record to 9-4-2-0 (20 points) on the season.

After a scoreless first frame, the Bears unleashed an offensive frenzy in the second period, with goals from Shane Gersich, Paul Ladue, Joe Snively and Brian Pinho, giving the Bears a 4-0 lead late in the middle frame.

The Phantoms would notch their first tally of the game just as time was expiring in the second period to make it 4-1 at the second intermission.

The Bears would make it 5-1 with a tally from Matt Moulson early in the final frame, but the Phantoms would quickly answer with a power play goal to make it 5-2. Brian Pinho would add an empty net goal for the 6-2 final.

STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (2-2-1-0, 3.36 GAA, .856 SV%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Alex Lyon (0-0-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .909 sv%) got the start in goal for the Phantoms. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Scratches: Lucas Johansen (upper body injury), Aliaksei Protas, Mason Morelli, Andrew Nielsen, Blake Pietila, Reece Wilcox, Taylor Nanne.

Garrett Pilon and Mike Sgarbossa were recalled to the Capitals taxi squad on Monday. Brian Pinho and Philippe Maillet were re-assigned from the Capitals taxi squad to the Hershey Bears on Tuesday.

Macoy Erkamps was returned to South Carolina and Billy Christopoulos was released from his PTO this week.

Forward Aliaskei Protas was re-assigned to the Bears on Thursday and is currently in quarantine. He may join team by the end of the week.

FIRST PERIOD
Eddie Whittchow was called for a holding penalty early in the first period and Kale Kessy was called for roughing infraction midway through the opening frame, but the Bears penalty kill was up to the task.

In the middle of their second power play, the Phantoms were awarded a penalty shot on a holding call on Eddie Whittchow, but the attempt failed.

Matt Moulson was called for slashing late in the opening period, but the Bears penalty kill was able to squash the man-advantage.

The first period would go scoreless. The Phantoms outshot the Bears 10-3. Lehigh Valley was 0 for 3 and the Bears 0 for 0 in power plays in the first frame.

SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would finally crack the seal with a shorthanded goal from Shane Gersich (2) at 10:18 of the second period. Martin Fehervary (5) had the lone helper.

Shane Gersich with a shorty, gives Bears a 1-0 lead midway through 2nd period. Fehervary with the helper. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Qr609k5g3z

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) March 25, 2021

The Bears would quickly make it 2-0 with a goal from Paul Ladue (2) at 11:06 of the middle frame. Phil Maillet (1) and Kale Kessy (2) had the helpers.

The Bears would make it 3-0 with a power play goal from Joe Snively (4) at 13:40 of the second period. Phil Maillet (2) and Connor McMichael (4) had the assists.

Joltin’ Joe Snively with a power play goal, his 4th tally of the season. Bears lead 3-0. #ALLCAPS #CapsProspect pic.twitter.com/Ds7KifVwZr

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) March 25, 2021

The Bears would stretch their lead to 4-0 on a beautiful give-and-go between Phil Maillet and Brian Pinho. Pinho (1) had the finish. Phil Maillet (3) and Rob O’Gara (3) had the assists.

Sweet give-and-go between Phil Maillet and Brian Pinho make it 4-0, Bears. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/LVL8lYpXPq

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) March 25, 2021

The Phantoms would score their first of the night as time was expiring in the second period. Ryan Fitzgerald (6) would finish at 19:58.

The second period concluded with the Bears leading 4-1. Lehigh Valley led in shots 11-9 in the middle frame, and 21-12 after two periods. Hershey was 1 for 2 and Lehigh Valley 1 for 5 on the power play after 40 minutes of play.

Kale Kessy and Garrett Wilson would drop the gloves late in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD
The Bears would make it 5-1 with a tally from Matt Moulson (4) at 4:16 of the final frame. Phil Maillet (4) and Brian Pinho (1) had the helpers.