Photo: Twitter: @puckstop31_
The Hershey Bears fell to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-2 Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. Connor McMichael made his 2022-23 AHL season debut and Julian Napravnik scored his first career AHL goal in the loss. The Bears record drops to 9-4-2-0 (20 points) on the season.
HERSHEY BEARS LINEUP
Zach Fucale (6-3-0, .913 sv%, 2.13 GAA) got the start in goal for the Bears. Louis Domingue (3-2-3 .908 sv%, 0.00 GAA) got the start between the pipes for the Wolf Pack. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Mason Morelli –Mike Sgarbossa – Sam Anas
Henrik Borgstrom – Connor McMichael – Henrik Rybinski
Shane Gersich – Hendrix Lapierre – Julain Napravnik
Kale Kessy – Riley Sutter – Matt Strome
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Gabriel Carlsson – Vinny Iorio
Bobby Nardella – Dylan McIlrath
Scratches: Mike Vecchione (injury), Garrett Pilon (injury), Lucas Johansen (lower body injury), Ethan Frank (upper body injury) and Jake Massie.
#ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/iPZPSGuwRX
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 20, 2022
Recalls/Re-assignments: Connor McMichael was re-assigned to Hershey earlier in the day. Alex Alexeyev was recalled by the Capitals on Tuesday, November 8. Lucas Johansen was returned to Hershey on Wednesday, November 9.
FIRST PERIOD
The Wolf Pack struck first just seven seconds into their first power play of the game. Andy Welinski (3) dented the twine at 3:49. Will Cuylle (4) and Tim Gettinger (3) had the helpers.
Hartford strikes first with a PPG. 1-0 Pack. #HBH pic.twitter.com/oMy3yg0Joa
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 20, 2022
Dylan McIlrath and Matt Rempe dropped the gloves at 9:59 of the first period. McIlrath would get the decision.
Prior to goal by Julian Napravnik, Dylan McIlrath “of Kahn” and Matt Rempe drop the gloves. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/zJuhNGeMZb
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 20, 2022
Just six seconds after the fight Julian Napravnik potted his first career AHL goal and point, tying the game 1-1. Shane Gersich (5) and Logan Day (3) had the assists.
Julian Napravnik with his first AHL goa/point, ties the game 1-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/XqNOxzeIN8
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 20, 2022
The Bears would make it 2-1 when Henrik Rybinski found Henrik Borgstrom in the slot for the score. Henrik Rybinski (1) had the lone assist.
It’s the Henrik and Henrik show. Rybinski to Borgstrom and it’s 2-1 Bears. Borgstrom is heating up. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/0qSOZ0bMTn
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 20, 2022
The first period would come to a close with the Bears leading 2-1. Bears led in shots 7-4. Hartford was 1 for 1 and Hershey 0 for 1 on the power play in the first frame.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears would begin the middle frame on the power play, but it would be the Wolf Pack who would score with a shorthanded tally. Ben Harpur (2) notched the game-tying tally just 51 second into the second period. Tim Gettinger (4) had the lone assist.
Hartford would take a 3-2 lead on a blast from the right point by Ty Emberson (1) at 5:58 of the middle frame. Karl Henriksson (1) and, Cristiano DiGiacinto (1) had the helpers.
The period would end with the Wolf Pack leading 3-2. Hartford led in shots 14-5 in the middle frame and 18-13 after two periods. Hartford was 1 for 5 and Hershey 0 for 2 on the power play after 40 minutes.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears were awarded a 5-on-3 power play for 56 seconds at 11:23 of the final frame, but were unable to convert.
Hartford would add an empty net goal with 1:48 remaining to make it 4-2, the final.
Th Bears are back in action on Wednesday when they visit the Thunderbirds in Springfield. Puck drop is set for 7PM>
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 7,179
- Hershey led in shots, 22-21
- Zach Fucale stopped 17 of 20 for a .850 game save percentage.
- Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre led all Bears in shots with 4 each.
- Hershey was 0 for 4 and Hartford 1 for 6 on the power play.
- First regulation loss on home ice for the Bears this season.
So it looks like McM and LaPierre led the Bears with 4 sog but no cigars.
They don’t mess around. if they get the puck they are firing shots.
Would fit in well with Rod. I swear he pays his players based on sog.
He was good tonight. Had a couple of great looks. Excited to see what he can do while he is here.
Agree Brian, he was into the game. You always worry about a player that is sent down. He looked fully engaged.
Glad CMM is playing… I sure would like to see the Caps get Eric K with 50% retained by the Sharks… he would fit in nicely
I think the team is old enough, and has enough bloated salary cap to deal with.
Happy to see CMM playing….
Jon, I couldn’t find TOI for the hershey game. Is this information available someplace else?
I would love to know this as well, but I do not think the track this in the AHL? He took a regular 5v5 shift and was on PP2. My guess is he got ~16-18 minutes.
Not the actual TOI, at least publicly. There is a formula that some have adapted to approximate TOI, but , well. It’s a derived vale.
A great move so CMM can recharge his game for the rest of the season and get ready for next season! This move should have been made after the first week of the season. Like the look of the Bears down the middle, experience and youth and players wanting to learn, grow and win. Could 3/4 C in the lineup last night make the team in Wash next season!