Hershey Tops Bridgeport, 2-1; Beck Malenstyn Scores Again

Photo: The Bridgeport Islanders

The Hershey Bears downed the Bridgeport Islanders, 2-1 Friday night at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The victory improves the Bears record to 28-21-4-3 (63 points) on the season.

The Bears opened the scoring with a long-distance shot from the point by Lucas Johansen early in the first period. The Islanders tied the game midway through the period before Beck Malenstyn answered nine seconds later for a 2-1 lead at the first break. The second and third period would go scoreless.

STARTERS

The Bears started goaltender Pheonix Copley (13-3-8-2, 2.39 GAA, .912 sv%) in net while the Islanders countered with Corey Schneider (7-9-2-0, 3.05 GAA, .910 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.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears opened the scoring with a long-distance strike by Lucas Johansen (6) from the left point. Mason Morelli (17) and Marcus Vela (3) had the helpers.

Lucas Johansen from way downtown, for his 6th of the season. Bears lead 1-0. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/X4d8AQuAqy

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 12, 2022

The Islanders would answer midway through the opening frame. Jeff Kubiak would pot the game-tying tally at 12:29 of the first period. Thomas Hickey (8) had the lone assist.

Hell of a power move by Kubiak.#Isles https://t.co/F0Y5Lv50Pu

— Michel Anderson (@TLOMitch) March 12, 2022

But the Bears would answer right back on the ensuing face-off. Beck Malenstyn (8) would notch the go-ahead goal just nine seconds later. Eddie Wittchow (4) had the only assist.

Nice steal and finish by Beck Malenstyn for his 8th of the season. He’s starting to feel it. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/wjC7Zaysl7

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 12, 2022

The period would end with the Bears leading 2-1. Shots were tied 11-11 in the first 20 minutes. Bridgeport was 0 for 1 on the power play while the Bears did not have a man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears and Islanders skated to a scoreless second period.

Hershey led in shots 8-7. There were no penalties called in the second period.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears and Islanders continued the scoreless play for the third period.

Kody Clark was called for a questionable diving/embellishment late in the period to give the Islanders their second power play of the game.

Kody Clark called for a dive on a breakaway. Bears lead 2-1 late. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/KPDP97rt0h

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 12, 2022

The Bears killed the penalty and hold on for the 2-1 win.

The Bears are back in action on Sunday when they host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM.

SHAVINGS

AHL box score
Attendance: 2,274
Pheonix Copley stopped 27 of 28 in the win.
Bears franchise win 2,997.