Screen cap: AHL TV

The Hershey Bears held on to down the Bridgeport Islanders, 5-4 Friday night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Ryan Hofer scored his first career professional goal, Ivan Miroshnichenko tallied his fourth goal of the season and Bogdan Trineyev recorded his third marker of the season in the win. The Bears let a 5-1 lead slip away in the third period but held on for the 5-4 final. The victory improves the Bears record to 11-4-0 on the season.

Hunter Shepard got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Jakub Skarek got the start in goal for the visiting Islanders. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Mike Vecchione – Mike Sgarbossa – Ethen Frank
Joe Snively – Jimmy Huntington – Alex Limoges
Ivan Miroshnichenko – Garrett Roe – Pierrick Dube
Ryan Hofer – Riley Sutter – Bogdan Trineyev

Aaron Ness – Vincent Iorio
Jake Massie – Logan Day
Nicky Leibermann – Chase Priskie

Hunter Shepard
Clay Stevenson

Scratches: Dmitry Osipov, Henrik Rybinski (upper body injury), Matthew Strome, Colin Swoyer.

Recalls and Re-assignments – Hardy Haman Aktell was returned to Hershey Friday afternoon. Dylan McIlrath was recalled by the Capitals Saturday afternoon.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears opened the game’s scoring late in the first frame on Mike Vecchione‘s sixth goal of the season at 17:32. Ethen Frank (5) and Mike Sgarbossa (11) had the helpers.

Hammered that one 🔨

🍎Frank
🍏Sgarbossa https://t.co/5Cf5UQ29RA pic.twitter.com/EpTiovPELt

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 18, 2023

With seven seconds remaining in the period, Ryan Hofer was given a turnover directly to his stick where he finished for his first career professional goal. Riley Sutter (1) was credited with the lone assist.

Ryan Hofer with a gift, finishes for his first career professional goal. Bears lead 2-0 at the end of one. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/UrJAnONfvn

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 18, 2023

The Bears held the 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Hershey led in shots 14-9 in the first 20 minutes. Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play.

SECOND PERIOD

The Islanders quickly cut the Bears lead to a single goal on a tally from Karson Kuhlman (1) just 2:55 into the middle frame, to make it 2-1. Grant Hutton (4) and Tanner Fritz (3) had the assists.

Kuhlman’s first as an Islander! 🥳#SupremePort | #Isles pic.twitter.com/UmnN2Yzjqj

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) November 18, 2023

But the Bears would restore their two-goal lead later in the frame. Ivan Miroshnichenko received a breakaway pass and finished five-hole for his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-1 at 7:10 of the middle frame. Nicky Leivermann (1) had the lone helper.

Ivan Miroshnichenko goes five-hole for his 4th goal of the season. Bears up 3-1. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/wPhMPIjb62

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 18, 2023

The Bears then made it 4-1 on Bogdan Trineyev‘s 3rd goal of the season. The tally was setup by a beautiful pass from Mike Sgarbossa. Mike Sgarbossa (12), and Riley Sutter (2) had the assists.

Mike Sgarbossa with a nice feed to Bogdan Trineyev for his 3rd goal of the season. Bears up 4-1. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/GIIxS82buS

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 18, 2023

The Bears held the 4-1 lead into the second intermission. The Bears led in shots 11-8 in the middle frame and Bridgeport 0 for 1 on the power play after 40 minutes of action.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears made it 5-1 early in the final frame on Ethen Frank‘s sixth goal of the season at 1:22 of the third period. Mike Sgarbossa (13) and Mike Vecchione (4) had the helpers.

Franky’s got his sixth of the season, and his second point of the night!

🍎Sgarbossa (3a tonight)
🍏Vecchione (1g, 1a tonight) https://t.co/viKM7lALbH pic.twitter.com/AX8jWYFxKU

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) November 18, 2023

The Islanders added their second goal of the game at 7:37 of the final frame. Jeff Kubiak (2) added the marker to make it 5-2.

Another day, another Kubiak goal for you. 😌#SupremePort | #Isles pic.twitter.com/hGa3p06i0W

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) November 18, 2023

The Islanders cut the Bears lead to 5-3 with a tally from Dennis Cholowski (2) at 9:08.

The Islanders cut the Bears lead to a single goal with a tally from Otto Koivula (1) at 12:34 of the third period.

The Bears held on for the 5-4 final.

SHAVINGS

• AHL box score
• Attendance: 9,058