The Hershey Bears beat the Bridgeport Islanders, 4-1, Friday night at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Ethen Frank scored his team-leading 21st goal of the season, Connor McMichael scored his 11th goal since re-joining the Bears and Riley Sutter scored his first goal since October in the victory. With the win, the Bears record improves to 29-10-4-1 (63 points) on the season.
LINEUP
Hunter Shepard (11-2-3-1, 2.12 GAA, .918 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Jakub Skarek (6-10-3-1, 3.40 GAA, .889 sv%) got the start in goal for the Islanders. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Mike Vecchione –Mike Sgarbossa – Ethen Frank
Joe Snively – Connor McMichael – Henrik Borgstrom
Aliaksei Protas – Hendrix Lapierre – Garrett Pilon
Beck Malenstyn – Riley Sutter – Mason Morelli
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Aaron Ness – Bobby Nardella
Lucas Johansen – Vinny Iorio
Scratches: Henrik Rybinski (non-Covid illness), Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, out indefinitely), Kale Kessy (upper body injury), Jake Massie, Shane Gersich, Julian Napravnik, Logan Day, and Matthew Strome.
Recalls/Re-assignments: Aliaksei Protas was re-assigned to Hershey on Wednesday. The Capitals re-assigned goaltender Clay Stevenson from AHL Hershey to ECHL South Carolina on Saturday.
Bears head coach Todd Nelsen was not with the team for personal reasons. Nick Bootland took over head coaching duties for tonight’s game.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears and Islanders skated to a scoreless draw in the first period.
Hershey led in shots, 9-2. Hershey was 0 for 1 and Bridgeport 0 for 2 on the power play after 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
The Bears finally got one passed Skarek, early in the middle frame. Riley Sutter (3) dented the twine just 25 seconds into the middle frame. Mason Morelli (19) and Gabriel Carlsson (12) had the helpers.
Riley Sutter gives the Bears a 1-0 lead, early in the middle frame. It’s his 3rd of the season and first since October. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/762rs3ECJ0
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 4, 2023
The Bears made it 2-0 on Connor McMichael’s 11th goal since re-joining the Bears at 6:52. Garrett Pilon (12) and Joe Snively (3) had the helpers.
Connor McMichael continues his hot streak, scores his 11th since joining the Bears. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9SBhHdpthn
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 4, 2023
Bridgeport answered with a shorthanded tally moments later to cut the Bears lead in half. Chris Terry (14) notched the Islanders initial tally at 8:25. Kyle MacLean (5) had the lone assist.
Terry puts the #Isles on the board! pic.twitter.com/KRIS9ZeGjU
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) February 4, 2023
Ethen Frank restored the Bears two-goal lead at 11:37 of the second period. Connor McMichael (11) and Mike Vecchione (21) had the assists.
Frank the Tank! Ethen Frank with his team-leading 21st of the season. Bears lead 3-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Kut2g27gS4
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 4, 2023
The Bears held a 3-1 lead at the end of two periods of play. Hershey led in shots 13-11 in the middle frame and 22-13 after 40 minutes of play. The Bears were 1 for 3 and the Islanders 0 for 2 on the power play after 40 minutes.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears extended their lead midway through the final frame. Beck Malenstyn (4) redirected a shot from the point by Aaron Ness for the 4-1 lead. Aaron Ness (9) and Riley Sutter (5) had the assists.
Beck Malenstyn with his 4th of the season. Bears lead 4-1. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6ePm4StnWl
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 4, 2023
That would be it, as the Bears held on for the 4-1 win.
The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 2,253
- Hunter Shepard stopped 20 of 21 shots faced.
- Connor McMichael was the first star of the game.
- Todd Nelsen was not with the team for personal reasons. He is fine and will rejoin the team after the All-Star break.