Screen cap: AHL TV
The Hershey Bears downed the Springfield Thunderbirds, 5-3 Sunday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. The victory improves the Bears record to 5-2-2-1 (13 points) on the season.
SUMMARY
The Bears would jump out to a quick lead on goals from Mike Sgarbossa and Joe Snively, his first of the season, to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Thunderbirds would cut the Bears lead in half midway through the second period and tie the game late in the frame for a 2-2 score at the second intermission.
Springfield would strike early in the final frame to take their first lead of the game but the Bears would quickly answer with a goal from Kale Kessy to tie the score 3-3. Joe Snively would pot a power play goal late to make it 4-3, and scored an empty net goal for the hat trick and the Bears 5-3 victory.
STARTERS
Zach Fucale (2-0-2-0, 1.43 GAA, .942 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Charlie Lindgren (3-0-1-0, 2.85 GAA, .911 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Thunderbirds. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Mike Vecchione (upper-body injury), Eddie Whittchow (upper-body injury) and Cody Franson.
Re-assigned: Aliaksei Protas was re-assigned to the Bears on Saturday, November 6.
Recalled: Axel Jonsson-Fjallby was recalled by the Capitals on Sunday.
FIRST PERIOD
Bobby Nardella, in his first game back, would take a tough hit from two Thunderbirds and the Bears responded. Kale Kessy and Michal Kempny would jump into the mix. Kempny would serve a roughing minor. Nardella was not injured on the play.
Bobby Nardella, in his first game back, takes a tough hit and Bears respond. Michal Kempny and Kale Kessy take all comers. #HBH pic.twitter.com/TAnXl6KGN2
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
Moments later Dylan McIlrath would lay a huge hit along the boards, and would answer the call to drop the gloves with Griffin Luce.
Dylan McIlrath lays the big hit and answers the call. #HBH pic.twitter.com/LBnwU7swRP
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
The Bears would get on the scoreboard with a power play goal from Mike Sgarbossa (4) at 13:52 of the first frame. Matt Moulson (3) and Bobby Nardella (1) had the assists.
Mike Sgarbossa takes three whacks at it but finally coverts the power play tally. It’s his 4th goal of the season. Bears lead 1-0 late in first frame. #HBH pic.twitter.com/B5mrmIw94Z
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
The Bears would make it 2-0 on Joe Snively’s first goal of the season at 14:56 of the opening frame. The play was setup on a nice feed from Shane Gersich. Gersich (2) and Aliaksei Protas (4) had the helpers.
Shane Gersich makes a nice feed to Joe Snively who finishes for his first tally of the season. Bears lead 2-0 late in first frame. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ZlhLR3pgza
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021]
The period would end with the Bears leading 2-0. Hershey led in shots 11-10 for the first 20 minutes. Springfield was 0 for 2 and Hershey 1 for 1 on the power play in the first period.
SECOND PERIOD
The Thunderbirds would make it 2-1 on a tally from Dakota Joshua (1) at 11:05 of the second period. Alexey Toropchenko (1) and Mackenzie MacEachern had the assists.
Springfield would then tie the game on a goal from Nathan Todd (4) at 14:56 of the second period. Matthew Peca (4), Scott Perunovich (14) had the helpers.
The second period would end, tied 2-2. Shots were tied 2-2 in the middle frame, with the Bears leading in shots 22-21 after 40 minutes. Both teams were 1 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Thunderbirds would strike early in the final frame with a goal from Logan Brown (4) at 2:39 of the final frame, to take their first lead of the game.
But the Bears would answer quickly with a goal from Kale Kessy (1) at 5:06 of the third period. Kody Clark (1), and Alex Alexeyev (2) had the assists.
Kody Clark to Kale Kessy for the score, ties the game 3-3 early in the final frame. #HBH pic.twitter.com/TmU7WbwZhn
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
The Bears would reclaim their lead with a power play goal from Joe Snively (2) his second goal of the game.
Joltin’ Joe Snively with his second goal of the game, gives the Bears a 4-3 lead with 3:09 left in regulation. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/GeBkgnf7OC
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
Snively would pot an empty net goal for the hat trick and the 5-3 Bears victory.
Joe Snively completes the hat trick! #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/786iuBb6a6
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 7, 2021
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday when they host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 6,452
- Springfield led in shots 31-29.
- Fucale stopped 28 of 31 for a .903 game save percentage.
- Stars of the game: 1) Joe Snively, 2) Kale Kessy and 3) Alex Alexeyev.
- Springfield was 2 for 4 and Hershey 2 for 5 on the power play.
- Joe Snively and Aliaksei Protas led all Bears in shots with 4 each.
- Bobby Nardella made his first start of the season.
By Jon Sorensen
