Photo: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

The Hershey Bears downed the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 6-3, Wednesday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. Connor McMichael notched his 13th goal of the season, Shane Gersich added his 5th goal of the season, Matt Strome scored his first goal as a Bear and Julian Napravnik added two goals in the victory. The win improves the Bears record to 35-16-5-2 (77 points) on the season.

LINEUP

Zach Fucale (18-10-2-1, 2.56 GAA, .900 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Sam Ersson (19-11-1-1, 2.61 GAA, .907 sv%) got the start in goal for the Phantoms. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

 Mike Vecchione –Henrik Borgstrom – Ethen Frank
Mason Morelli – Connor McMichael – Garrett Pilon
Shane Gersich – Henrik Rybinski –Julain Napravnik
Beck Malenstyn – Riley Sutter – Matt Strome

Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Bobby Nardella – Dylan McIlrath
Jake Massie – Lucas Johansen

Scratches: Vinny Iorio (upper body injury), Mike Sgarbossa (upper body injury), Hendrix Lapierre (upper body injury), Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, practicing, no-contact jersey), Benton Maass.

Bears head coach Todd Nelson said Vincent Iorio will be out 7-10 days. Hendrix Lapierre is still a week away from returning.

Recalls/Reassignments: Kale Kessy was traded to Colorado for future considerations earlier in the week. Defender Michael Kim was loaned to our ECHL affiliate, the SC Stingrays, on Wednesday.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears opened the scoring on Connor McMichael‘s 13th tally of the season at 1:54 of the first frame. McMichael fought-off two Phantoms players to control the puck and finish. Jake Massie (8) and Garrett Pilon (14) had the assists.

Connor McMichael working hard in the dirty area, knocks home his 13th of the season. #ALLCAPS #HBH pic.twitter.com/U3Jj7yc0iI

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) March 15, 2023

The Phantoms tied the game with a goal from Garrett Wilson (13) at 7:59. Adam Ginning (14) and Cooper Marody (20) had the helpers.

WITH AUTHORITY#LVvsHER | #OurValleyOurHome pic.twitter.com/18cjA66I1M

— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) March 15, 2023

And that was it for the opening frame. Hershey led in shots, 12-10. There were no power plays in the first period.

Bears forward Henrik Borgstrom sustained an upper body injury in the first period. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Connor McMichael returned to center the top line.

SECOND PERIOD

The Phantoms took their first lead of the night on Garrett Wilson’s second goal of the game at 7:28 of the middle frame. Cooper Marody (21) and Louie Belpedio (17) had the helpers.

Open file📂
└📂 Lehigh Valley Phantoms
└📂 Garrett Wilson
└📂 GarrettWilsonIsADawg.mp4#LVvsHER | #OurValleyOurHome pic.twitter.com/IIseo8dhCV

— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) March 16, 2023

The Bears tied the game 2-2 on Matt Strome‘s first goal as a Bear at 12:01 of the middle frame. Beck Malenstyn (2) had the lone assist.

.@mstrome16‘s first as a Bear couldn’t have come at a better time against his former club 💪

🍎 Malenstyn pic.twitter.com/6HkW8lQkSZ

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 16, 2023

The Bears grabbed the lead on Julian Napravnik‘s second tally of the season at 12:37 of the second period. Shane Gersich (11) had the lone assist.

Julian Napravnik has ✨Main Character Energy✨

🍎 Gersich
🍏 Rybinski pic.twitter.com/l9bcboT8cp

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 16, 2023

The second period concluded with the Bears leading 3-2.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears made it 4-2 on Shane Gersich‘s 5th goal of the season at 5:38 of the final frame. Bobby Nardella (16) had the lone assist.

Right through the wickets for @shane_gersich9‘s fifth of the season! 🎯

🍎 Nardella pic.twitter.com/utl17UBCqY

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 16, 2023

The Phantoms would get one right back, closing the gap to 4-3. Garrett Wilson (15) notched his third of the night for the hat trick.

Julian Napravnik restored the Bears two-goal lead midway through the final frame with his second goal of the night at 10:59. Henrik Rybinski (11) and Lucas Johansen (6) had the assists.

Bobby Nardella added an empty net goal for the 6-3 final.

SHAVINGS

• AHL box score
• Attendance: 5,433