The Hershey Bears fell to the Charlotte Checkers, 5-4, Friday night at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. Sam Anas scored his first goal as a Hershey Bear and Sonny Milano, signed by the Capitals earlier in the week, recorded his first point for Hershey.
The Bears scored the first three goals of the game, but then gave-up the next five goals before potting a late tally to make it 5-4.
LINEUP
Zach Fucale got the start in goal for the Bears. Alex Lyon got the start between the pipes for the Checkers.
Sonny Milano – Mike Vecchione – Garrett Pilon
Mason Morelli – Henrik Borgstrom – Sam Anas
Shane Gersich – Hendrix Lapierre – Ethan Frank
Matt Strome – Riley Sutter – Kale Kessy
Lucas Johansen – Arron Ness
Bobby Nardella – Dylan McIlrath
Gabriel Carlsson – Vinny Iorio
Scratches: Jake Massie, Julian Napravnik, Logan Day, Mike Sgarbossa (paternity leave), Henrik Rybinski (injury, cleared on Friday, could play Saturday) and Martin Has (injury) were the scratches.
Recalls And Reassignments: Beck Malenstyn was recalled by the Capitals earlier this week.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears opened the scoring on a shot from the right side by Sam Anas (1) just 1:15 into the contest. Mason Morelli (3), and Gabriel Carlsson (2) had the helpers.
Sam Anas knocks home his first goal as a Hershey Bear. Bears lead 1-0 early in the first. #HBH pic.twitter.com/DoayBkzC6h
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 21, 2022
Riley Sutter (2) finished on a shorthanded opportunity to give the Bears a 2-0 lead at 10:59 of the first frame. The goal was unassisted.
Riley Sutter with a short-handed goal, his 2nd goal in 3 games. Bears lead 2-0 midway through first. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/esHmTsfpU9
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 21, 2022
The first frame concluded with the Bears leading 2-0. The Bears lead in shots 6-2. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play in the first 20 minutes.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears made it 3-0 with a goal from Garrett Pilon (1) at 13:38 of the middle frame. Mike Vecchione (1), Sonny Milano (1) had the assists. It was Milano’s first point as a Hershey Bear.
Garrett Pilon makes it 3-0. Sonny Milano picks up his first point as a Bear. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/o8zmo1rDrU
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 22, 2022
The Checkers would finally dent the twine on the power play with less than two minutes remaining in the middle frame. Anton Levtchi scored his 3rd of the season. Riley Nash (4) and Justin Sourdif (1) had the assists.
Checkers get on the board late in the middle frame. Anton Levtchi with his 3rd of the season. Bears lead 3-1 after two periods. #HBH pic.twitter.com/SW38jqMykJ
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 22, 2022
The second period concluded with the Bears leading 3-1. Shots were tied 13-13 after two periods. Hershey was 0 for 3 and Charlotte 1 for 2 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Checkers cut the Bears lead to one, at 1:07 of the final frame. Gerry Mayhew (1) had the tally. Chris Tierney (2)
Checkers draw to within one. Bears lead 3-2 early in the final frame. #HBH pic.twitter.com/6VjcK3MQS9
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 22, 2022
The Checkers tied the game at 6:40 on a delayed penalty call, making it 3-3. Zac Dalpe (1) recorded the equalizer. Dennis Cesana (2) and Henry Bowlby (2) had the assists.
Checkers tie it 3-3 on delayed penalty. #HBH pic.twitter.com/YUKZUN0vRw
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 22, 2022
The Checkers would make it four-straight goals with a power play tally late, to make it 4-3. Riley Nash (2) notched the go ahead marker. Santtu Kinnunen (2) and Anton Levtchi (2) had the helpers.
Checkers score 4th straight tally to take 4-3 lead late in final frame. This one on the power play. #HBH pic.twitter.com/cVr2Wug66C
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 22, 2022
The Checkers would add an empty net goal to make it 5-3. Henrik Borgstrom would add a late goal for Hershey to make it 5-4, the final.
The Bears and Checkers do it again on Saturday, with puck drop set for 6:00PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 4,334
- Charlotte led in shots, 23-17.
- Zach Fucale stopped 18 of 22 for a .818 game save percentage.
- Hershey was 0 for 3 and Charlotte 2 for 3 on the power play.
- Garrett Pilon and Riley Sutter led all Bears in shots with 3 each.