Joe Snively Scores First Goal Since Returning To Hershey, Ethen Frank Scores Two Goals, Bears Down Thunderbirds, 5-3

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Jon Sorensen

The Hershey Bears downed the Springfield Thunderbirds, 5-3, Friday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Joe Snively scored his first goal since returning to Hershey and Ethen Frank notched a pair of tallies in the victory. With the win the Bears record improves to 24-8-3-1 (52 points) at the exact halfway point of the season.

LINEUP

Zach Fucale (11-7-1-1, 2.48 GAA, .900 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Joe Hofer (11-8-4-1, 2.41 GAA, .921 sv%) got the start in goal for the Thunderbirds. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Mike Veccione –Mike Sgarbossa – Ethen Frank
Joe Snively – Connor McMichael – Henrik Borgstrom
Aliaksei Protas – Hendrix Lapierre –Garrett Pilon
Beck Malenstyn – Riley Sutter – Mason Morelli

Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Bobby Nardella – Vinny Iorio

Scratches: Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, out indefinitely), Lucas Johansen (Covid protocol), Kale Kessy (upper body injury), Henrik Rybinski, Shane Gersich, Jake Massie, Julian Napravnik  and Matthew Strome.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears led in shots, 10-2, at the midway point of the first frame, but unfortunately there was no scoring in the first half of the first period. The Bears also had a power play in the first ten minutes, but were unable to convert.

The Bears finally opened the scoring on Joe Snively‘s first goal since returning to the Bears at 15:03 of the first frame. Connor McMichael had the lone assist.

The Bears quickly made it 2-0 with a gritty goal from Beck Malenstyn (2) at 16:22 of the first stanza. Mason Morelli (17) and Logan Day (5) had the assists.

The Bears made it 3-0 on Ethen Frank‘s team-leading 14th goal of the season at 18:02 of the opening frame. Logan Day (6) and Mike Sgarbossa (17) had the helpers.

The first period concluded with the Bears holding a commanding 3-0 lead and led in shots 18-4 after the first 20. Hershey was 0 for 1 on the power play while Springfield didn’t have a man advantage in the first frame.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears and Thunderbirds skated to a scoreless draw for a majority of the first frame. Then Riley Sutter was called for a 5-minute major match penalty for a hit to the head with 5:29 remaining in the middle frame.

The Thunderbirds subsequently dented the twine just 28 seconds into their 5-minute power play. Brady Lyle (2) recorded the T-Birds first tally of the game at 14:59, making it 3-1. Martin Frk (18) and Matthew Peca (1) had the assists.

But that would be it as the Bears penalty kill would squash the remaining four-and-half minutes of Springfield power play time, keeping the score 3-1 at the end of the second period.

Springfield led in shots 8-2 in the second period, with six of those shots coming on the T-Birds 5-minute power play. Springfield was 1 for 3 and Hershey 0 for 1 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears quickly restored their three-goal lead early in the final frame. Ethen Frank knocked home his second of the game and 15th of the season at 1:01 of the third period. Mike Sgarbossa (18) and Gabriel Carlsson (7) had the helpers.

But the T-Birds would answer less than four minutes later with a goal from Mathias Laferriere (3) at 3:24, making it 4-2. Matthew Peca (2) and Martin Frk (19) had the assists.

The Bears once again restored the three-goal lead late in the final frame when Garrett Pilon and Henrik Borgstrom hooked up on a nice rush for a power play marker. Borgstrom would finish for his 6th of the season.

But the T-Birds refused to go away, cutting the lead to 5-3 after pulling their goaltender with five minutes remaining in the game. Will Bitten (11) notched the T-Birds third goal at 14:40. Brady Lyle (13) and Mathias Laferriere (8) were credited with the assists.

Ethen Frank had a chance at the hat trick with an open net goal, but would fire a shot off the side of the goal.

Frank would also have any empty net goal in which fans tossed hats only to be waived off for offsides. That would be it, as the Bears held on for the 5-3 win.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday night for the second game of the two-game set with the Thunderbirds. Puck drop is set for 7PM.

SHAVINGS

  • AHL box score
  • Attendance: 9,405
  • Stars of the game: 1) Ethen Frank, 2) Logan Day and 3) Beck Malenstyn.

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.
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7 Responses to Joe Snively Scores First Goal Since Returning To Hershey, Ethen Frank Scores Two Goals, Bears Down Thunderbirds, 5-3

  1. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2023 at 9:53 pm

    Ethen Frank came about as close as a human can come to getting a hat trick. He’ll get one soon, mark my words. He’s on pace for 30 this season.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2023 at 9:54 pm

    I wonder if those fans that tossed their hats will get them back. Asking for a friend 😁

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2023 at 10:05 pm

    That was an impressive game for the Bears. More indicative of the talent they have than the game earlier this week.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    January 13, 2023 at 10:15 pm

    Send them up and get rid of the oldies.

    Reply
  5. dwgie26 says:
    January 14, 2023 at 11:32 am

    That’s about how this team should light up the scoreboard. So much talent in Hershey. Gotta get Frank a 2 way contract. gonna have some developed NHL talent for next year!

    Reply

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