Photo: Jeff Bexton/Utica Comets

The Hershey Bears fell to the Utica Comets, 3-0, Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY. The Bears have now lost four of their last five games dating back to the Teddy Bear Toss game on January 29. Hershey’s record drops to 29-12-4-1 (63 points) on the season. They also fall to second place in the Atlantic Division.

LINEUP

Zach Fucale (14-8-2-1, 2.58 GAA, .897 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Akira Schmid (9-4-3-1, 2.38 GAA, .913 sv%) got the start in goal for the Comets. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

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

Aaron Ness – Bobby Nardella
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Lucas Johansen – Vinny Iorio

Scratches: Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, out indefinitely), Kale Kessy (upper body injury), Jake Massie, Shane Gersich, Julian Napravnik, Logan Day and Matthew Strome.

Recalls and Reassignments: Aliaksei Protas was recalled by the Capitals from Hershey on Friday.

FIRST PERIOD

Henrik Rybinski returned to the lineup for the first time since January 21 and made a statement in his very first shift back.

Henrik Rybinski is back in the Bears lineup for first time since 1/21. In his first shift he makes a nice steal and lowers the boom on a Comet. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/gBQrhH21A8

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 11, 2023

Forward Riley Sutter caught a puck in the face midway through the first period and would have to leave the game for repairs.

Riley Sutter catches a puck in the face. He’s off for repairs. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/0VANtU6AZm

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 11, 2023

Zach Fucale stopped a Comets penalty shot late in the frame, keeping the game scoreless.

Zach Fucale says “nope” on Comet penalty shot. Still no score. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/PxPXmBX7TL

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 11, 2023

The first period concluded without a score. The Comets outshot the Bears 12-2 in the first period. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play in the first 20 minutes of play.

SECOND PERIOD

Riley Sutter returned to the game early in the middle frame.

The Bears opened the second period with good offensive push, but it was the Comets that first dented the twine. Jack Dugan (8) notched the game’s first tally at 6:34 of the second stanza. The goal was unassisted.

No doubter 🎯 pic.twitter.com/UhaLLsfGLw

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) February 11, 2023

The Bears continued the pressure. Garrett Pilon had the Bears best scoring opportunity midway through the period but his shot hit the crossbar. Zach Fucale made a number of big saves to keep it 1-0.

The second period ended 1-0, Utica. The Comets led in shots 14-11 in the second period and 26-13 after two periods. Hershey was 0 for 1 and Utica 0 for 2 on the power play after 40 minutes of play.

THIRD PERIOD

The Comets extended their lead to 2-0 late in the final frame when Nolan Foote notched his 15th tally of the season at 11:35. Tyce Thompson (12) had the lone assist.

Perrrrfect off the draw pic.twitter.com/cyjj0WUMhY

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) February 11, 2023

Utica added an empty net goal to make it 3-0. That would be the final.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at Giant Center. Puck drop is set for 7PM.

SHAVINGS

• AHL box score
• Attendance: 3,917
• Utica led in shots, 33-19.
• Zach Fucale stopped 31 of 33 in the loss.