Aliaksei Protas Scores In Bears 3-2 Overtime Loss To Senators

Photo: Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography

The Hershey Bears fell to the Belleville Senators, 3-2 (OT) Friday night at CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario. The loss drops the Bears record to 29-23-4-3 (65 points) on the season.

The Senators and Bears traded power play markers in the first frame for a 1-1 tie at the first intermission. Aliaksei Protas would give the Bears their first lead early in the second period, but the Senators would answer midway through the frame for a 2-2 tie after two periods of play. After a scoreless third period the Senators would win the game in overtime.

STARTERS

The Bears started goaltender Pheonix Copley (14-8-3-2, 2.39 GAA, .912 sv%) in net while the Senators countered with Mads Sogaard (13-12-0-0, 3.01 GAA, .900 sv%) in goal. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Injuries: Brian Pinho (shoulder surgery), Matt Moulson (back surgery), Riley Sutter (upper-body injury), Macoy Erkamps (lower body injury) and Kale Kessy (upper-body injury).

Re-called: Drake Rymsha was recalled from the Fort Wayne Comets on Monday, March 14. Mike Vecchione was recalled by the Capitals earlier this week.

Scratches: Jake Massie

FIRST PERIOD

The Senators opened the scoring midway through the first frame with a power play tally from Jonathan Aspirot (2) at 10:27 of the period. Logan Shaw (13) had the lone assist.

But the Bears would answer with a power play goal from Mike Sgarbossa (10) at 13:33 of the first period. Bobby Nardella (10) had the lone assist.

Mike Sgarbossa ties it up with a power play goal late in first frame. 1-1 after one #HBH ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/gCyMMl3MBD

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 18, 2022

The first period would expire with the game tied 1-1. Belleville led in shots 10-8 in the first period. Both teams were 1 for 1 on the power play in the first 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears grabbed their first lead of the night on a tally from Aliksei Protas (5) at 1:27 of the second period. Shane Gersich (17) and Brett Leason (2) had the assists. [The goal was originally thought to be scored by Gersich]

Shane Gersich cleans up the loose change to give Bears a 2-1 lead early in 2nd frame. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bwFXWqveEs

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 19, 2022

The Senators would tie the game at the midway point of the second period with a tally from Egor Sokolov (15) at 10:40. Jake Lucchini (20) and Andrew Agozzino (15) had the helpers.

Senators tie it up 2-2. #HBH pic.twitter.com/22x0H4SOzY

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 19, 2022

The second period would conclude with the game tied 2-2. Belleville led in shots 15-14 in the second period and 25-22 after two periods of play. The Bears were 1 for 2 and the Senators 1 for 3 on the power play after 40 minutes of play.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears and Senators skated to a scoreless draw in the final frame.

Hershey led in shots 10-9. The Bears were 1 for 2 and the Senators 1 for 4 on the power play.

OVERTIME

The Senators would win it with less than a minute remaining in overtime.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they visit the Rocket in Laval. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM.

SHAVINGS

AHL box score
Attendance: 1,796