Photo: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Hershey Bears downed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-2 (OT) Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre. The victory improves the Bears record to 9-6-2-1 (21 points) on the season. They remain in third place in the Atlantic Division.
The Penguins would strike first early in the game, but Bobby Nardella would pot his first goal of the season for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission. Cody Franson would give the Bears a 2-1 lead early in the second period but the Baby Pens would answer less than a minute later for a 2-2 score after 40 minutes of play.
After a scoreless third period, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby woold bring the curtain down in the extra frame for a 3-2 Bears win.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (4-4-1-0) 3.40 GAA, .874 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Tommy Nappier (1-3-0-0, 3.08 GAA, .900 sv%) got the start in goal for the Penguins. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Riley Sutter, Lucas Johansen and Jake Massie.
Recalled: Goaltender Zach Fucale was recalled by the Capitals on Friday, December 10.
FIRST PERIOD
The Penguins would strike first with a goal from Valtteri Puustinen (6) at 4:07 of the first period. Felix Robert (5) and Mitch Reinke (1) had the helpers. The goal also initiated the Penguins annual teddy bear toss for charity.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins strike first and the teddy bears fly. #HBH pic.twitter.com/B8H1ZJUgpI
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 11, 2021
But the Bears would answer. They would tie the game with a goal from Bobby Nardella (1) at 8:18 of the first period. Mike Vecchione (8) had the lone assist. It was Nardella’s first goal of the season.
The Nard Dog! Bobby Nardella ties the game 1-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/BWQYMHIh2y
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 11, 2021
The first period would end with the game tied 1-1. The Penguins led in shots 11-7 in the first 20 minutes. Hershey was 0 for 1 and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were 0 for 2 on the power play in the first frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would take a 2-1 lead on Cody Franson’s third goal of the season at 3:23 of the middle frame. Joe Snively (11) and Matt Moulson (8) had the assists.
Cody Franson with his third goal of the season, gives the Bears a 2-1 lead. #HBH pic.twitter.com/FgqKu4nozy
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 12, 2021
But the Penguins would answer right back less than a minute later to tie the score 2-2. Felix Robert (5) would tie the game at 3:51 of the middle frame. Radim Zohorna (4) had the lone assist.
The second period would conclude with the game tied 2-2. Shots were tied 11-11 for the middle frame. Both teams were 0 for 4 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears and Penguins skated to a scoreless draw in the final frame.
Hershey led in shots 7-6 in the third period.
OVERTIME
The Bears would win it late in the extra frame with a goal from Axel Jonsson-Fjallby.
The Axe Man cometh! Axel Jonsson-Fjallby wins it for the Bears in overtime. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/hZUM8JLrxC
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 12, 2021
The Bears are back in action on Sunday when they host the Laval Rocket at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for just after 5:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- First Bears game since November 26. 12 players, coaches and/or staff tested positive for COVID-19 causing a two-week shutdown for the Bears.
