Hershey Bears Stun Skilled Falcons, 5-3

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HERSHEY, PA – Ryan Stoa celebrates his first period goal with teammates during Hershey’s 5-3 win (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

The Hershey Bears debuted on Giant Center ice for the only time this weekend with a Saturday night match against the Springfield Falcons. Bears Play-by-Play voice Scott Stuccio tweeted hours before puck drop, “Bears undoubtedly will be ready to go for this one. Springfield (25-6-1-3) is the AHL’s top team (.771 points %).”

Hershey dropped a 4-2 tilt in Binghamton, NY the night before. However, Stuccio also tweeted Saturday afternoon that the Senators appeared to have too many men on the ice during their second period, game-winning goal.

Just as Stuccio warned, the Bears were ready to play and grinned out a 5-3 win over the top team in the American Hockey League.

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Bears Allow Falcons Comeback, Lose 4-3 (OT)


Andrew Joudrey (seen here during Springfield’s preseason) faced his former team tonight.

The Bears began another 3-in-3 tonight, once again on the road. They started the weekend with a game against the Springfield Falcons, the new team of former captain, Andrew Joudrey.

The first period moved along quickly as the teams battled away. The Bears were playing well and had several big scoring opportunities. One of those opportunities came when Cody Eakin was robbed with a glove save about halfway through the period. But the first goal of the game wasn’t far off. Boyd Kane wrestled the puck away in the neutral zone and got it to Eakin. Eakin set up Jacob Micflikier on a 2-on-1 opportunity and the Bears took the first lead of the game!

Shortly after that, Garrett Mitchell earned his first career AHL goal and it was a nice one! The Bears were playing with an extra man due to a delayed penalty call against the Falcons. Mitchell was near the net and backhanded a rebound past goaltender Danny Taylor.

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Bears Lose Offensive Showdown to Checkers, 5-4

Charlotte celebrates on their five goals against Holtby during Game 1. Photo by Kyle Mace

Hold on to your hats, Bears fans. This could be a long series against the Charlotte Checkers.

The Bears did exactly what they needed to do: they started off strong. On the very first play, Boyd Kane had a good scoring chance. Just 70 seconds in, Andrew Joudrey took a Charlotte turnover and dished a perfect pass to Steve Pinizzotto who scored.

The Checkers took back some momentum a couple of minutes later when Zac Dalpe rushed around Andrew Gordon and right to the net. Braden Holtby made the initial save but Dalpe was in his face and ready to bang home the rebound. Gordon’s bad luck wouldn’t stop there. The Checkers got another shot off on Holtby, who yet again made the initial save. Unfortunately, the rebound appeared to deflect off on Gordon and into the net. Charlotte had their first lead of the game.

Towards the end of the period, the Bears got their second power play of the game. Brian Willsie had a nice cross-ice to Keith Aucoin, who scored backdoor on Justin Pogge. Tie game after one period.

The Bears are not going to want to play the special teams game with the Checkers. The Checkers are ranked high in the league for both the penalty kill and the power play. During the second period, the Checkers were whistled for delay of game. The Bears lost control of the puck and Charlotte scored a shorthanded goal as Bellemore scored on (you guessed it) the rebound.

During the same period, Zach Boychuk took off on a break. He was right up to Holtby when Aucoin absolutely robbed him and stole the puck out from right under him. Aucoin took the puck and gave it Kane and Kane buried it. Tie game…again.

The Bears finally regained the lead early in the third period. Willsie had a gorgeous slapshot that snuck past Pogge. But that lead wouldn’t last. Zach Boychuk tied the game up on the rebound (I’m not joking). Charlotte didn’t take long to take the lead back as Drayson Bowman scored five-hole on Holtby. It wasn’t a rebound shot, but it was also a shot that Holtby should’ve had.

The Bears just plain couldn’t keep up with the Checkers. Mark French had some terse answers for the reporters post-game. He was especially disappointed in his team’s third period effort. The team will have two days to rest before they have their next chance.

One game down. Plenty more chances. We’re looking forward to meeting everyone this Sunday at the Sweetest Tailgate on Earth. Clear your schedule and get down to Giant Center early! Get pumped!

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Portland Comeback Stymies Hershey, 4-3 (OT)

Mark Parrish of Portland scores in overtime to beat Hershey. Photo by Kyle Mace

Tonight’s game against the Portland Pirates was a specialty jersey night: the Bears sported Capitals Winter Classic jerseys, but with a twist. Instead of the Capitals logo across the front, it had the Hershey logo. As usual, the jerseys were auctioned off after the game.

The Bears got the first lead of the night (as they so often do) with a goal from Andrew Joudrey. The Bears maintained the lead until Steve Pinizzotto was whistled for cross-checking and a ten minute misconduct. Down a man, Braden Holtby (just sent down from Washington this morning) almost had the puck but had it knocked out of his control and into the net.

The Bears quickly responded and scored a power play goal of their own. Patrick McNeill joined the play and scored back door on David Leggio, showing off that offensive side.

The second period saw a lot of penalties doled out to both sides. The Bears had a 5-on-3 but were not able to convert on it. However, when a Pirate was penalized for hooking Joudrey on a breakaway, they took this chance. Back in front of the loyal home crowd, Andrew Gordon did not let down and scored on the power play. He was right in front of the goal and ready to chip it home to score his first goal since returning from injury.

The Pirates scored to make a one goal difference when two Pirates sped past the Hershey defense. Two-on-none, they beat Holtby to make it 3-2 Hershey.

Things were looking good until Joudrey high-sticked a Pirate and Portland had the man advantage with a little more than six minutes left in regulation. It only took 26 seconds before T.J. Brennan one-timed it past Holtby. I hate to admit it, but it was a beautiful shot. Unfortunately, that meant it was a tie game once again.

The teams pushed on to overtime but it was Portland who came out on top. Despite leading by two goals earlier in the game, the Bears lose 4-3 (OT). Overall, the offense was spotty and could have been better but they were playing a talented Portland team. One point is better than none.

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