Screen cap: AHL TV
Pheonix Copley stopped all 28 shots he faced as the Hershey Bears blanked the Springfield Thunderbirds, 2-0 Friday night at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. The victory improves the Bears record to 11-7-2-1 (25 points) on the season.
Mike Vecchione gave the Bears the first lead of the game late in the first frame, as the Bears took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The Bears would extend their lead late in the middle frame with a goal from Matt Moulson, for a 2-0 lead at the second break. The third period would go scoreless, as the Bears held on for the 2-0 win.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (6-4-1-0) 3.04 GAA, .885 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Joel Hofer (5-3-1-0, 2.76 GAA, .906 sv%) got the start in goal for the Thunderbirds. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Riley Sutter (upper-body injury), Cody Franson (lower-body injury), Ryan Dmowski, Jordan Subban and Jake Massie.
Re-calls: Goaltender Zach Fucale was recalled by the Capitals Friday afternoon. As a result, the Bears recalled defenseman Jordan Subban and goaltender Ryan Bednard from ECHL South Carolina.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears opened the scoring late in the first frame with a tally from Mike Vecchione (2) at 15:27 of the period. Joe Snively (13) and Michal Kempny (6) had the helpers. The score came just as the Bears first power play expired.
Mike Vecchione gives the Bears a 1-0 lead. He is assisted by Joe Snively. Both players extend their points streak to seven games. #HBH pic.twitter.com/jkHBPg7hqK
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 18, 2021
The goal and primary assist extended Vecchione’s and Snively’s point streak to seven games, respectively.
The period would conclude with the Bears leading, 1-0. Hershey led in shots 11-10 in the first frame. Hershey was 0 for 2 and Springfield 0 for 1 on the power play in the first frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would stretch their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Matt Moulson (4) at 16:23 of the middle frame. Garrett Pilon (7) and Joe Snively (14) had the assists.
Garrett Pilon to Matt Moulson. Bears lead 2-0. It was Pilon’s 100th career professional point and 99th career AHL point. #HBH pic.twitter.com/IwAc8VKdUF
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 18, 2021
That would be all of the scoring in the middle frame. Shots on goal were tied 8-8 in the middle frame. Hershey was 0 for 2 and Springfield 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears and Thunderbirds would go scoreless in the third period, as the Bears held on for the 2-0 victory.
Pheonix Copley came this close to becoming the first Bears netminder to score…EVER. #HBH pic.twitter.com/gj25hYEBB7
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) December 18, 2021
Springfield led in shots 10-8 in the final frame.
The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL Box Score
- Attendance: 3,866
- Springfield led in shots 28-27.
- Pheonix Copley stopped 28 of 28.
- Michal Kempny and Mike Vecchione led all Bears in shots with 4.
- The shutout was the first of the season for the Bears.
- It was Copley’s 14th career shutout.
- Hershey was 0 for 3 and Springfield 0 for 4 on the power play.
- This was the third-straight shutout loss for the Thunderbirds.
- Stars of the game: 1) Joe Snively, 2) Mike Vecchione and 3) Matt Moulson.
