Bears Clinch Playoff Spot but Lose to St. John’s in Process

Dany Sabourin looks on as St. John’s wins 3-2 (All photos by Kyle Mace)

A big crowd, a winning streak and the first home telecast of a Bears game since the Calder Cup championship game. You would have thought the game had all the elements of an eighth straight win for the Bears. The game turned out to be a struggle for the Bears as they dropped this one, 3-2

The Bears got on the board first, when Mike Carman redirected a Sean Collins shot giving Hershey a 1-0 lead 12:34 into the first period. But Hershey turned the puck over too many times and Carman’s goal turned out to be their last, until it was too late.

Patrice Cormier fired home a shorthanded goal for the Icecaps late in the first period to tie the game at one.

Then mid-way through the second, Arturs Kulda came out of the penality box and connected on another near breakway to give St John’s a 2-1 lead,.

Hershey couldn’t generate many offensive chances and 8:34 into the third period, Cormier got what turned out to be an easy goal for the Icecaps, when the puck went across the line on a fairly weak effort by St John’s.

The Bears applied some late pressure and pulled to within a goal when Ryan Potulny scored with just 14 seconds left. Hershey got a break on a bad icing play by St John’s, but the Bears couldn’t get off a shot and lost the game 3-2

Despite the loss, Hershey still clinched a playoff spot, by virtue of losses by Portland and Adirondack. The loss ends Hershey’s seven game winning streak.

The Bears are back home Sundat at 5pm against the Binghamton Senators

More photos from tonight’s game:
Joel Rechlicz sits with former Bears tough guy Dennis Bonvie during tonight’s game

The Bears look on as they know it is too late