Photo: The Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears downed the Springfield Thunderbirds, 5-2 Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. The victory improves the Bears record to 32-27-5-4 (73 points) on the season.
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring midway through the first frame but the Bears answered with goals from Dylan McIlrath and Aliaksei Protas for a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.
The Bears extended their lead to 3-1 on Shane Gersich’s 13th goal of the season, but the Thunderbirds were able to answer late in the period for a 3-2 Bears lead at the second break.
The Bears stretched their lead to 4-2 on Mike Vecchione’s 15th goal of the season early in the final frame and Cody Franson would add a 5-on-3 power play goal late for the 5-2 final.
STARTERS
The Bears started goaltender Pheonix Copley (16-9-5-2, 2.38 GAA, .913 sv %) in net while the Thunderbirds countered with Charlie Lindgren (21-4-1-1, 2.26 GAA, .923 sv%). The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Injuries: Brian Pinho (shoulder surgery), Matt Moulson (back surgery), Mike Sgarbossa (upper-body injury), Riley Sutter (upper-body injury).
Scratches: Jake Massie, Macoy Erkamps, Christopher Brown and Clay Stevenson.
FIRST PERIOD
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring with a tally from Keean Washkurak (12) at 7:47 of the first period. Nikita Alexandrov (10) and Nathan Todd (10) had the assists.
The Bears tied the score on a Dylan McIlrath (4) shot from just inside the blueline at 8:41 of the first period. Mason Morelli (21) had the lone assist.
The Bears would take their first lead of the game on Aliaksei Protas’ seventh goal of the season at 15:42 of the first frame. Mike Vecchione (27) and Brett Leason (5) had the helpers.
The period would end with the Bears leading 2-1. The Bears led in shots 15-12 in the first 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would extend their lead to 3-1 with a goal from Shane Gersich (13) at 13:36 of the second period. Garrett Pilon (21) had the lone assist.
Springfield would answer just before the end of the period with a snipe from Nathan Todd (8) at 17:04 of the middle frame.
The period would end with the Bears leading 3-2. Springfield led in shots 10-8 in the second period. The Bears were 0 for 1 and the Thunderbirds 1 for 2 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears stretched the lead to 4-2 on a tally from Mike Vecchione (15) at 3:56 of the final frame. Aliaksei Protas (11) and Alex Alexeyev (18) had the assists.
Cody Franson would make it 5-2 on a 5-on-3 power play. It was his 100th professional goal.
That would be the final. The same two teams do it again tomorrow at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
SCENES FROM HERSHEY
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About Jon Sorensen
Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
Great game for Bears. Seemed to be a long time coming. Great game for Protas. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for a full time role with the Caps next season.
Cant wait for camp next fall when Protas, McMichael and others will be flying around the ice trying to win jobs!!