Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Charlotte Checkers
The Hershey Bears rallied to beat the Charlotte Checkers, 2-1 (OT) Saturday night at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The victory improves the Bears a 3-1-0 record to start the 2021-22 season.
SUMMARY
Following a scoreless first frame, the Checkers broke the ice less than five minutes into the middle frame with a goal from Logan Hutsko for a 1-0 lead at the second intermission. Garrett Pilon would notch the game-tying tally late in the third period to send the game to overtime. Lucas Johansen would hit the game-winner late in the extra frame.
STARTERS
Zach Fucale (1-0-0, 1.02 GAA, .958 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Antoine Bibeau (1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .963 sv%) got the start in goal for the Checkers. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Kale Kessy, Riley Sutter (injured), Mason Morelli and Eddie Wittchow.
Reassigned: Hunter Shepard (G), Jake Massie (D) and Ryan Dmowski (F) were reassigned to South Carolina (ECHL) on Tuesday (10/19).
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears Mike Vecchione and Checkers Kole Lind dropped the gloves just 1:04 into the contest.
Bears Mike Vecchione and Checkers Kole Lind dropped the gloves just 1:04 into the contest. pic.twitter.com/VzydyUyxq3
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) October 23, 2021
There would be no scoring in the first period. Charlotte led in shots on goal, 9-3. The Checkers were 0 for 2 on the power play while the Bears did not have a man-advantage in the first 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Checkers drew first blood on a backhand chip-shot by Logan Hutsko (1) at 4:20 of the middle frame. Alexander True (3) had the lone assist.
First of many for Logan Hutsko! pic.twitter.com/gWIB7i8whF
— Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) October 23, 2021
That would be all of the scoring in the second period. Hershey led in shots 12-5 in the second period and 15-14 after 40 minutes. Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears would tie the game with a goal from Garrett Pilon (3) at 12:48 of the final frame. Mike Sgarbossa (3) and Joe Snively (3) had the helpers.
Garrett Pilon with a sand wedge, ties the game 1-1 late in third period. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/AwCifzsoqf
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) October 24, 2021
Regulation would end with the game tied 1-1. Charlotte led in shots 11-7 in the final frame.
OVERTIME
Lucas Johansen would score the overtime game winner at 4:37 of the extra frame. It was his second goal of the season.
Lucas Johansen drops the hammer in overtime. Bears win 2-1. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Qan70ui5Kz
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) October 24, 2021
Bears led in shots 4-3 in the extra frame. The Bears are back in action Wednesday night when they host the Syracuse Crunch. Puck drop is set for just after 7:00PM.
NOTES
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 7,786
- Charlotte led in shots 28-26.
- Zach Fucale stopped 27 of 28 shots for a .964 game save percentage.
- Garrett Pilon, Mike Vecchione and Brian Pinho led all Bears in shots with 3 each.
- Both team were 0 for 3 on the power play.
- Stars of the game: 1) Lucas Johansen, 2) Zach Fucale and 3) Logan Hutsko
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Great piece. What a cool looking arena! So how to stream/tv-watch a Bears game? And what about the games of other prospects (our prospects in Junior such as Iorio, Hanelt, and soon, Lapierre)?
Greetings Yogi. I (unfortunately) pay for it all. AHL TV package, CHL (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) and KHL packages. Quite pricey for a season to cover all of the prospects, watch as many games as possible.
But you’re doing it and it’s appreciated. Yes, sounds a bit pricey. There is also college hockey with Brent Johnson to watch. I’m interested in how Hanelt develops and if he gets some ice time up in Gatineau.
Me too, Yogi. Hanelt was impressive in a few German games over the summer. He’s so raw, but you can see the talent. Those games are interesting to track, as my French is next to zero.