Screen cap: AHL TV
The Hershey Bears fell to the Laval Rocket, 4-2 Sunday night at Giant Center in Hershey. The loss drops the Bears record to 9-7-2-1 (21 points) on the season.
Hershey opened the scoring with a power play goal from Cody Franson but the Rocket would answer for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission. The Rocket would then grab their first lead of the game early in the middle frame, but Alex Alexeyev would answer with his first goal of the season to tie the game 2-2, the score at the second break.
Laval would grab a 3-2 lead midway through the final frame on an awarded penalty shot and add a late goal for the 4-2 win.
STARTERS
Zach Fucale (4-1-2-0) 2.63 GAA, .898 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Cayden Primeau (7-6-1-2, 2.82 GAA, .908 sv%) got the start in goal for the Rocket. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Riley Sutter (upper body injury), Lucas Johansen (COVID-19 protocol) and Jake Massie.
Re-assigned: Goaltender Zach Fucale was recalled by the Capitals on Friday, December 10. He was re-assigned to Hershey on Sunday, December 12.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears opened the scoring with a power play goal from Cody Franson (4) at 10:15 of the first period. Joe Snively (12) and Mike Vecchione (10) had the helpers.
Cody Franson with a power play goal, his 4th goal of the season and second tally in as many games, gives Bears an early 1-0 lead. #HBH pic.twitter.com/aDeW9k32v3
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 12, 2021
The Rocket would tie the game late in the frame with a tally from Terrance Amorosa (1) at 17:00 of the period. Alex Belzile (6) and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard (7) had the assists.
The period would end with the game tied, 1-1. Shots were tied 10-10 for the first 20 minutes. Hershey was 1 for 1 and Laval 0 for 1 on the power play in the first period.
SECOND PERIOD
The Rocket would take their first lead of the game early in the middle frame with a shorthanded goal from Gabriel Bourque (3) at 1:27 of the second period. Lukas Vejdemo (7) had the lone assist.
Alex Alexeyev (1) tied the game at 5:24 of the middle frame. Cody Franson (7) and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (5) had the helpers.
Alex Alexeyev scores his first of the season. Game tied 2-2. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ar63euHxfd
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 12, 2021
The period ended with the game tied 2-2. Hershey led in shots 14-7 in the second period, and 24-17 after two periods. Laval was 0 for 2 and Hershey 1 for 2 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears appeared to grab the lead at 4:50 of the final frame, but officials reviewed a potential goal by Mike Vecchione and determined that Vecchione used a distinct kicking motion to direct the puck for the score.
Bears appear to score go-ahead goal, but officials rule Mike Vecchione used a kicking motion to redirect the puck. #HBH pic.twitter.com/V8RmRR1cfw
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 13, 2021
The Rocket would be awarded a penalty shot moments later. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard (4) would convert to give Laval a 3-2 lead at 7:11 of the final frame.
Laval takes a 3-2 lead on penalty shot. #HBH pic.twitter.com/UZIdVqJCZZ
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 13, 2021
The last penalty shot scored on the Bears was back on November 11, 2016 against Vitek Vanecek. Bears goaltenders were 11 for 11 in stops prior to tonight.
Laval would add a late goal from Rafaël Harvey-Pinard (5) to make it 4-2, the final.
SHAVINGS
- AHL Box Score
- Attendance: 6,053
- Hershey led in shots 40-21
- Cody Franson led the Bears in shots with 5.
- Zach Fucale stopped 17 of 21 shots faced for a .809 save percentage.
- Laval was 0 for 2 and Hershey 1 for 5 on the power play.
