Photo: The Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears blanked the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 4-0 Tuesday night at Giant Center in Hershey. Zach Fucale stopped all 26 shots he faced for his second-straight shutout and Beck Malenstyn added two tallies for the win. The victory improves the Bears record to 27-21-4-3 (61 points) on the season.
Following a scoreless first frame the Bears opened the scoring midway through the middle frame on a redirected shot by Beck Malenstyn for a 1-0 lead at the second intermission. The Bears would add two quick goals in the first four minutes of the final frame from Brett Leason and Garrett Pilon to extend their lead to 3-0. Beck Malenstyn would add an empty net goal late for the 4-0 final.
STARTERS
The Bears started goaltender Zach Fucale (8-8-4-1, 2.85 GAA, .884 sv%) in net while the Phantoms countered with Felix Sandstrom (8-12-3-1, 3.09 GAA, .893 sv%) in goal. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Injuries: Brian Pinho (upper-body injury), Macoy Erkamps (lower-body injury), Matt Moulson (back surgery), Kale Kessy (upper-body injury).
Scratches: Jake Massie, Christopher Brown.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears opened the scoring on a redirected shot by Beck Malenstyn (6) at 10:21 of the second period. Dylan McIlrath (6) and Riley Sutter (6) had the assists.
Wreck it Beck! Beck Malenstyn with the redirect gives the Bears a 1-0 lead. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/5B12klyr9r
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 9, 2022
That would be all of the scoring in the second period. Hershey led in shots 9-8. Lehigh Valley was 0 for 2 and Hershey 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears made it 2-0 at 1:38 into the final frame with a nice goal from Brett Leason (2). Leason would collect the puck along the boards and drive to the net. Beck Malenstyn (5) had the lone helper.
Brett Leason drives to the hoop and dunks. Bears lead 2-0 early final frame. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/XRKYeMZcJQ
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 9, 2022
The Bears would quickly make it 3-0 with a greasy goal at 3:47. Garrett Pilon (15) would get credit for the cleanup. Shane Gersich (16) and Lucas Johansen (18) had the assists.
Garrett Pilon gets credit for this one. Not sure if he touches it, but regardless it’s 3-0 Bears. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/S4DS9dP6zk
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 9, 2022
Beck Malenstyn would add an empty net goal for the 4-0 final.
The Bears are back in action on Friday when they visit the Bridgeport Islanders in Connecticut. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 10,486
That’s more like it! Fucale heating up, too.