Photo: Twitter/Rochester Americans

The Hershey Bears downed the Rochester Americans, 2-0 in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals Thursday night at Giant Center in Hershey. With the win, the Bears even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

After a scoreless first frame, Henrik Borgstrom broke the deadlock late in the middle frame and Beck Malenstyn added his third goal of the postseason with 32 seconds left in the second period to give the Bears a 2-0 lead at the second intermission. The third period would go scoreless.

Hunter Shepard stopped all 24 shots he faced and was named the first star of the game.

 LINEUP

Hunter Shepard (6-2-0, 2.14 GAA, .918 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Malcolm Subban (7-2-0, 2.83 GAA, .913 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Americans. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

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

Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Lucas Johansen – Vinny Iorio

Hunter Shepard
Zach Fucale

Scratches: Mike Sgarbossa (injury), Shane Gersich, Bobby Nardella, Henrik Rybinski, Matt Strome, Jake Massie, Julian Napravnik, Bogdan Trineyev, Ludwig Persson, Dru Krebs, Alexander Suzdalev.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears and Americans skated to a scoreless draw in the first period, with shots tied 10-10. Rochester had the greater number of high-danger chances.

Bears netminder Hunter Shepard, who was pulled before the midway point of game one after giving up four goals on 16 shots, returned to form right from the start of game two. He made multiple key saves, keeping Rochester off the scoreboard.

OK, @Shepdadyy we see you. pic.twitter.com/rGtb3WYrfm

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 25, 2023

Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play in the first 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears finally broke the deadlock late in the second period. Henrik Borgstrom (2) notched a power play tally, sniping from the right side at 16:05 of the middle frame, giving the Bears their first lead of the series. Connor McMichael (2) and Mason Morelli (2) had the helpers.

Borgy rips it top 🧀 to break the ice!

🍎 McMichael
🍏 Morelli pic.twitter.com/f5y9exfqHP

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023

The Bears stretched their lead to 2-0 with a late goal from Beck Malenstyn (3) at 19:29 of the period. Riley Sutter (2) and Mason Morelli (3) had the assists.

Short-side snipe from Beck!

🍎 Sutter
🍏 Morelli pic.twitter.com/DOq3VOO0CX

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023

Hunter Shepard continued his strong play in the middle frame, keeping the Amerks off the scoreboard.

🧱 pic.twitter.com/a2rvUgzA8K

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023

The second period concluded with the Bears holding the 2-0 lead. Shots were tied 7-7 in the second period and 17-17 after two periods of play. Hershey was 1 for 3 and Rochester 0 for 1 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD 

The Bears and Amerks skated to a scoreless draw in the final frame, as the Bears clamped down on defense and held on for 2-0 win, tying the series at one game apiece.

Games three and four move to Rochester on Saturday and Monday nights.

SHAVINGS

• AHL box score
• Attendance: 8,389
• Rochester led in shots, 24-21.
• Hershey was 1 for 3 and Rochester 0 for 2 on the power play.
• Hunter Shepard stopped all 24 shots he faced for his first postseason shutout.
• Stars of the game: 1) Hunter Shepqard, 2) Beck Malenstyn and 3) Mason Morelli

HISTORY

• The last time the Bears shutout Rochester came on February 22, 2002 in Rochester.
• The last time the Bears shutout Rochester in Hershey was on February 8, 1986. Ron Hextall was in goal for the Bears.