The Hershey Bears fell to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Giant Center in Hershey. The loss drops the Bears record to 19-12-3-2 (43 points) on the season but remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Wolf Pack struck first, early in the first frame, but Joe Snively would would answer with his 13th goal of the season for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission. The Wolf Pack regained their one-goal lead early in the middle frame, but once again the Bears would answer, this time with a goal from Mike Vecchione for a 2-2 tie at the second break. The Wolf Pack scored a late go-ahead goal in the third period and held on for the 3-2 win.
STARTERS
The Bears started goaltender Zach Fucale (6-2-3-0, 2.83 GAA, .884 sv%) in net, while the Wolf Pack countered with Adam Huska (3-5-2-0, 2.53 GAA, .912 sv%) in goal. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Injuries: Matt Moulson (upper-body injury), Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Kody Franson and Bobby Nardella (lower-body injury).
Scratches: Macoy Erkamps, Colby McAuley and Kody Clark were the scratches.
COVID Protocol: Mason Morelli
FIRST PERIOD
The Wolf Pack opened the scoring with a goal from Tanner Fritz (5) at 7:08 of the first period. Ty Ronning (9), and Austin Rueschhoff (4) had the helpers.
🚨 Fritz
🍎 Ronning
🍏 Rueschhoff pic.twitter.com/TxFGSkv25z— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) January 23, 2022
The Bears tied the game in the last minute of the opening frame with a power play goal from Joe Snively (13) at 19:02 of the period. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (12) and Alex Alexeyev (7) had the assists.
Joe Snively ties it up, 1-1. It’s Snively’s 13th goal of the season which is tied for team lead with Axel Jonsson_Fjallby. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DVJTkfHiB4
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 23, 2022
The period would end with the game tied, 1-1. The Bears led in shots 8-6. Hartford was 0 for 1 and Hershey 1 for 2 on the power play in the first frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Wolf Pack recalimed the lead with a goal from Jonny Brodzinski (12) at 5:36 of the second period. Zac Jones (14) and Anthony Greco (17) had the assists.
12th goal of the season from Captain Jonny Brodzinski! pic.twitter.com/bUJg6qBvTC
— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) January 23, 2022
But the Bears would answer once again. Mike Vecchione would pot his 6th goal of the season at 17:16 to tie the game, 2-2. Shane Gersich (11) and Alex Alexeyev (8) had the helpers.
Nice feed from Shane Gersich to Mike Vecchione to tie the game 2-2. #HBH pic.twitter.com/9I58LE4Th9
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 23, 2022
The second period closed with the game tied 2-2. The Bears led in shots 9-7 in the middle frame and 17-13 after two periods. There were no power plays in the second period.
THIRD PERIOD
The Wolf Pack scored a late goal by Justin Richards (3) at 17:14 to take a 3-2 lead. Tarmo Reunanen (13) and Ty Ronning (10) had the helpers.
Tonight’s game winning goal!
🚨 Richards
🍎 Reunanen
🍏 Ronning pic.twitter.com/xWci79vcm1— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) January 23, 2022
The Wolf Pack would hang on for the 3-2 win.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday when they host the Wilkes-Baree/Scranton Penguins at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 10,441
- Bears led in shots 26-19.
