Hershey Bears

Shane Gersich Scores First Goal Of The Postseason, Bears Beat Amerks, 1-0, Advance To Calder Cup Finals

By Jon Sorensen·
Photo: Rochester Americans

The Hershey Bears downed the Rochester Americans, 1-0 in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday night at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. With the win, the Bears Earle the best-of-seven series four games to two and advance to the 2023 Calder Cup Finals.

Following a scoreless first frame, Shane Gersich notched his first tally of the post season midway through the middle frame to give the Bears a 1-0 lead at the second intermission. As it turns out, Gersich’s goal would be the series-winner.

That was all the Bears needed as they held on for the 1-0 victory. Hunter Shepard stopped all 24 shots he faced for his second shutout of the postseason.

 LINEUP

Hunter Shepard (9-3, 2.01 GAA, .924 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Malcolm Subban (8-5, 2.68 GAA, .915 sv%) got the start in goal for the Americans. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

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

Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Jake Massie – Lucas Johansen

Hunter Shepard
Zach Fucale

Scratches: Ethen Frank, Vincent Iorio (injury – day-to-day), Mike Sgarbossa (injury), Bobby Nardella, Henrik Rybinski, Matt Strome, Julian Napravnik, Bogdan Trineyev, Ludwig Persson, Dru Krebs, Alexander Suzdalev.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears and Amerks skated to a scoreless draw in the first 20 minutes of play.

The Bears had the only power play of the period, just two minutes into the contest, but were unable to dent the twine.

Rochester led in shots 9-6.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears finally broke the drought midway through the middle period. Shane Gersich (1) recorded his first goal of the postseason at 12:40 of the second period to give the Bears a 1-0 lead. Beck Malenstyn (3) and Gabriel Carlsson (2) had the helpers.

The Amerks were awarded a 5-on-3 power play for 1:24 but the Bears’ three-man penalty kill was up to the task, as Rochester came up empty.

The second period concluded with the Bears leading 1-0. Hershey led in shots, 9-8. Hershey was 0 for 2 and Hershey 0 for 3 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Amerks returned to the power play early in the third period after Beck Malenstyn was called for a high stick in the Bears offensive zone, but once again the Bears penalty kill was the better special teams unit.

The third period would ultimately go scoreless, as the Bears held on for the 1-0 win. They take the Eastern Conference Finals four games to two and advance to the 2023 Calder Cup Finals.

The Bears now face the winner of the Western Conference Finals. The Coachella Valley Firebirds and Milwaukee Admirals series is currently tied, 2-2.

Photos: Rochester Americans
  • AHL box score
  • Attendance: 8,777
  • Rochester leed in shots 24-19.
  • Hunter Shepard stopped all 24 shots he faced.
  • This is the 24th trip to the Finals for the Bears.