Screen cap: AHL TV

The Hershey Bears downed the Springfield Thunderbirds, 6-2, Saturday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Hendrix Lapierre scored his 10th goal of the season, Connor McMichael scored his 8th goal since returning to Hershey, Joe Snively scored his second goal in as many nights and Garrett Pilon scored two goals in the victory. With the win, the Bears record improves to 25-8-3-1 (54 points) on the season.

LINEUP

Hunter Shepard (9-1-3-1, 2.13 GAA, .919 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Vadim Zherenko (4-6-1-0, 2.86 GAA, .921 sv%) got the start in goal for the Thunderbirds. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Mason Morelli –Mike Sgarbossa – Ethen Frank
Joe Snively – Connor McMichael – Henrik Borgstrom
Aliaksei Protas – Hendrix Lapierre –Garrett Pilon
Beck Malenstyn – Henrik Rybinski – Shane Gersich

Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Jake Massie – Bobby Nardella

Scratches: Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, out indefinitely), Lucas Johansen (Covid protocol), Kale Kessy (upper body injury), Vinny Iorio (illness), Mike Vecchione (upper body injury), Riley Sutter (suspension), Julian Napravnik  and Matthew Strome.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears struck first, early in the first frame. Hendrix Lapierre jammed one home on the power play to take a very bried 1-0 lead at 3:12 of the opening stanza. Mason Morelli (18) and Henrik Borgstrom (9) had the helpers.

Hendrix Lapierre cleans up the loose change on the power play for his 10th of the season. T-Birds just answered. Tied 1-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Z2w2Uyz3PB

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

But the Bears’ lead was brief as the Thunderbirds answered less than 30 seconds later. Martin Frk (11) notched the tying tally at 3:34. Matthew Peca (3) and Matthew Highmore (25) had the assists.

FRK TIES THIS GAME pic.twitter.com/uFb9FS2oFt

— Springfield Thunderbirds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) January 15, 2023

The Thunderbirs took their first lead of the night on a power play goal by Brady Lyle (3) at 14:31 of the first period. Matthew Peca (4) anf Matthew Highmore (26)

LYLE GIVES US THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/cX8qPRck1X

— Springfield Thunderbirds (@ThunderbirdsAHL) January 15, 2023

The period concluded with the T-Birds hanging on to the 2-1 lead. Bears led in shots, 11-7 in the first period. Both teams were 1 for 2 on the power play in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears tied the game early in the middle frame on Connor McMichael‘s 8th goal since returning to Hershey. The tying tally came at 9:36. Henrik Borgstrom (10) had the lone assist.

Connor McMichael fires a dart for his 8th with the Bears this season. Game tied 2-2. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/UtxZh0FLid

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

The Bears took the lead on a power play goal by Garrett Pilon (3) at 13:41. Henrik Borgstrom (11) and Bobby Nardella (12) had the assists.

Garrett Pilon from the bumper spot, power play marker gives the Bears a 3-2 lead. #Peels #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/AviY4C50DO

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

The middle frame came to a close with the Bears leading, 3-2. Hershey led in shots 15-6 in the second period and 26-13 after 40 minutes. Springfield was 1 for 2 and Hershey 2 for 3 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears added to their lead on a deflected shot by Ethen Frank (16) at 4:17. Jake Massie (6) and Mike Sgarbossa (19) had the assists.

Our leading goal-scorer extends his total – @efrank_98 tips home his 16th of the season!

🍎 Massie
🍏 Sgarbossa pic.twitter.com/IFQYz0cumC

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 15, 2023

The Bears quickly made it 5-2 on Joe Snively‘s second goal in as many games. The tally was setup by a nice backcheck and dish by Connor McMichael.

Nice defense by Connor McMichael, then dishes to Joltin Joe Snipely for his second goal in as many games. Bears starting to put the hammer down, lead 5-2. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/biPOZHZBPC

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 15, 2023

Garrett Pilon added an empty net goal to make it 6-2, and that would be the final.

The Bears are back in action on Friday when they visit the Laval Rocket. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.

SHAVINGS

• The AHL box score
• Attendance: 10,517
• Bears led in shots 38-23.
• Hershey was 2 for 4 and Springfield 1 for 2 on the power play.
• Stars of the game: 1) Henrik Borgstrom, 2) Connor McMichael and 3) Garrett Pilon.