Alex Alexeyev Scores In Bears 3-1 Win Over Penguins

The Hershey Bears downed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Giant Center in Hershey. The victory improves the Bears record to 17-5-2-0 (36 points) on the season.

After a scoreless first and second period, the Bears would finally break the seal with a goal from Axel Jonsson-Fjallby early in the final frame. It was his second goal in as many games.

The Penguins would answer with a power play goal less than five minutes later to tie the game, 1-1. Alex Alexeyev would score the game-winner late in the final frame and Brian Pinho would add an empty net goal for the 3-1 final.

STARTERS

Zach Fucale (6-2-0-1, 1.75 GAA, .932 SV%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Alex D’Orio (1-2-1-0, 2.61 GAA, .884 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Penguins. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Scratches: Joe Snively (injured), Lucas Johansen (upper body injury), Kody Clark (upper body injury), Will Graber (injury), Blake Pietila (lower body injury), Bobby Nardella (upper body injury), Kale Kessy, Andrew Nielsen.

FIRST PERIOD

Aliaksei Protas would take a puck to the left cheek a little over five minutes into the opening frame, but remained in the game and did not miss a shift.

Aliaksei Protas take a puck to the left cheek. Seems to be ok, didn’t miss a shift. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/eBkSihfNnq

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 24, 2021

The first frame would end without a score. The Penguins led in shots on goal 13-10. Hershey was 0 for 1 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton did not have a man advantage in the opening stanza.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears and Penguins skated to a scoreless draw in the middle frame. Connor McMichael would hit a post and a cross-bar in the period, but could not find the back of the net. He led the Bears with four shots after two periods.

Hershey led in shots on goal 10-8 for the middle frame, with the Penguins leading 21-20 after two periods. The Bears were 0 for 2 on the power play. The Penguins did not have a man advantage after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears would finally break the scoring seal with a gritty goal from Axel Jonsson-Fjalby (6) at 3:53 of the final frame. Connor McMichael (7) and Damien Riat (6) had the helpers.

Axel Jonsson-Fjallby with his 6th goal of the season, second in as many games. Bears lead 1-0 early in final frame. #ALLCAPS #CapsProspect #HBH pic.twitter.com/CELTwTmIn4

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 24, 2021

The Penguins would answer less than five minutes later with a power play goal form Drew O’Connor (5) at 8:27 of the third period, tying the game 1-1.

The Penguins were awarded a penalty shot late in the final period but Zach Fucale would stand tall and make the stop.

The Bears would retake the lead with a goal from Alex Alexeyev (1) at 16:30 of the final frame. Martin Fehervary (12) and Kale Kessy (3) had the assists.

Alex Alexeyev goes blocker side with a sweet wrister, gives Bears a 2-1 lead late in the final frame. #CapsProspect #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/JL2jdlahm6

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 24, 2021

Brian Pinho would add an empty net goal to make it 3-1 and that would be the final.