The Hershey Bears rallied to beat the Bridgeport Islanders, 2-1 (OT) Saturday night at Giant Center in Hershey. The victory improves the Bears record to 21-12-3-2 (47 points) on the season.
After scoreless first and second periods, the Islanders finally dented the twine midway through the third period. But the Bears immediately answered with a power play goal from Shane Gersich for a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation. Mike Vecchione would win it for the Bears in overtime.
STARTERS
The Bears started goaltender Pheonix Copley (11-7-2-2, 2.58 GAA, .903 sv%) in net, while the visiting Islanders countered with Jakub Skarek (12-8-3-1, 2.80 GAA, .910 sv%) in goal. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Injuries: Matt Moulson (upper-body injury), Cody Franson (upper-body injury), Macoy Erkamps (upper-body injury), Kody Clark (lower-body injury), Cody Franson (upper-body injury), Riley Sutter (lower-body injury) and Bobby Nardella (lower-body injury).
Scratches: Colby MacAuley
Re-assignments: Joe Snively was recalled by the Capitals and Mike Sgarbossa was re-assigned to the Bears on January 27. Ryan Dmowski was re-assigned to South Carolina on January 26.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears and Islanders skated to a scoreless draw in the opening stanza. Bridgeport led in shots 8-5. Hershey was 0 for 1 on the power play while Bridgeport did not have a man advantage.
SECOND PERIOD
The second period would also go scoreless.
The Bears suffered a pair of losses during the period. Alex Alexeyev left the bench for unknown reasons. Mike Sgarbossa also left the game after an awkward hit into the boards late in the period.
Mike Sgarbossa leaves game after hit into boards. Left the ice holding his right shoulder. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/RXvxovuTE0
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 30, 2022
The Bears led in shots 12-7. Both teams were 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
Mike Sgarbossa, Garrett Pilon and Alex Alexeyev did not return for the third period.
The Islanders finally broke the ice with a tally from Thomas Hickey (3) at 7:08 of the final frame. Cole Bardreau (6) and Jeff Kubiak (9) had the helpers.
Islanders finally break the seal, lead 1-0 midway through the final frame. #HBH pic.twitter.com/z4iaA0EprD
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 30, 2022
The Bears tied the game with a power play goal from Shane Gersich (11) at 9:11 of the third period. Jake Massie (1) and Christopher Brown (1) had the assists.
Shane Gersich ties it up! PPG, his 11th goal of the season. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/pwItSqEqQO
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 30, 2022
The third period would end with the game tied 1-1.
OVERTIME
The Bears would be awarded a 4-on-3 power play midway through the extra frame and that would be the difference. Mike Vecchione would pot the game-winner.
Mike Vecchione sticks a fork in it in overtime. Bears win 2-1. #HBH pic.twitter.com/1IJtZWJ3fH
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) January 30, 2022
Bears head coach Scott Allen when asked about the status of Mike Sgarbossa, Garrett Pilon and Alex Alexeyev: “I would say more than day-by-day, unfortunately. That’s all I know for now.”
The Bears are back in action on Sunday when they visit the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown. Puck drop is set for 5:05 PM
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 10,502
- Bears led in shots 35-27.
- Brian Pinho and Dylan McIlrath led all Bears in shots with 4 each.
- Bridgeport was 0 for 3 and Bears 2 for 5
- Stars of the game: 1) Pheonix Copley, 2) Jakub Skarek and 3) Mike Vecchione.