Photo: Hartford Wolf Pack
The Hershey Bears downed the Hartford Wolf Pack, 1-0 (SO) Saturday night at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. Zach Fucale stopped 16 of 16 shots faced and Connor McMichael converted in the shootout for the win. The Bears record improves to 12-4-2-0 (26 points) on the season.
HERSHEY BEARS LINEUP
Zach Fucale (6-4-0, .908 sv%, 2.22 GAA) got the start in goal for the Bears. Dylan Garand (1-4-1 .885 sv%, 3.73 GAA) got the start between the pipes for the Wolf Pack. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Mike Vecchione –Mike Sgarbossa – Ethan Frank
Henrik Borgstrom – Connor McMichael – Sam Anas
Mason Morelli – Hendrix Lapierre – Henrik Rybinski
Kale Kessy – Riley Sutter – Matt Strome
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Bobby Nardella – Dylan McIlrath
Jake Massie – Vinny Iorio
Scratches: Gabriel Carlsson (lower body injury), Shane Gersich (upper body injury), Garrett Pilon (lower body injury), Lucas Johansen (lower body injury), Julian Napravnik, Michael Kim and Kevin O’Neil.
Recalls/Re-assignments: Connor McMichael was re-assigned to Hershey on Sunday, November 20. Alex Alexeyev was recalled to the Capitals on Tuesday, November 8. Lucas Johansen was returned to Hershey on Wednesday, November 9.
The Bears announced on Wednesday, November 23 that the club has recalled defenseman Michael Kim from South Carolina (ECHL), and also signed forward Kevin O’Neil to a professional tryout agreement (PTO).
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears and Wolf Pack skated to a scoreless draw in the opening stanza.
Hershey led in shots, 7 -6.
Hartford was 0 for 1 on the power play. The Bears did not have a man advantage in the first period.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears dominated the second period, but both teams failed to dent the twine again in the middle frame.
The Bears led in shots 18-4 for the second period and 25-10 after 40 minutes of play.
Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play after two periods of play.
THIRD PERIOD
The final frame was also void of scoring.
Hershey once again dominated the shots, 10-3, in the third period and 35-13 after three periods.
Hershey was 0 for 2 and Hartford 0 for 1 on the power play in regulation.
OVERTIME/SHOOTOUT
Overtime was of course, scoreless.
The Bears would win it in shootout. Connor McMichael would first convert on his attempt.
Connor McMichael converts on shootout attempt. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/vuOEkzfOO4
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 27, 2022
Then Mike Sgarbossa would win it for the Bears.
Mike Sgarbossa wins it in shootout. Bears take all 6 points over weekend. #HBH pic.twitter.com/OvqBXs9f1C
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 27, 2022
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday when they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 3,576
- Bears led in shots, 39-16.
- Mike Vecchione and Connor McMichael led all Bears in shots with 4 each.
- Stars of the game: 1) Dylan Garand, 2) Mike Sgarbossa and 3) Connor McMichael.
- With the win, the Bears take home all six points from the three-game road trip.
Hard to believe the Bears sog numbers and 0-0 going into the shootout. Glad that McM got one there.
Rays lost 4-3 in shootout, Clay was in goal.
It was a tough game to recap, Fyre. Any idea of Clay’s numbers?
The numbers finally add up. Numbers at ECHL kept changing. 37 of 40 shots in regulation and OT. Missed 2 in shootout.
I was just following the Bears score during the Caps game and wondered where their offense had gone and then you blew me away in the recap with the sog numbers.
The SOG was not a ‘soft’ number. The Bears had a ton of good chances. A hot goalie can break your heart though. Thankfully they got the win. McMichael had a bunch of good chances and Lapierre is really working on his defensive game. If/when this team can finish more consistently, look out.
Thanks.
Sometimes you just need to figure out a way to win, particularly in the third game of a road trip.
“Just win, baby” – A.D.
Well, he saw just 16 shots, but good rebound game for Fucale. Bears have a pretty good tandem working right now.
Thanks again Jon. Fun reading about the Bears and the nice talented guys we have there.
Also, thanks commenters for adding info!