Hershey came into the game after a 3-0 shutout win over the Utica Comets on Saturday. Pheonix Copley would get the start for the second straight night, this time against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
1st Period:
The Bears have struggled all season while on the power play when it comes to giving up chances to the other team. It doesn’t matter who they are playing, the opposing team always seems to get too many shots on the Bears net.
Tonight was no different. Phantom’s Corban Knight found himself on a break away and putting the puck past Pheonix Copley. This was only the second shot of the game for the Phantoms and again, it came on the penalty kill.
The Bears would answer with their own breakaway however. Joe Whitney sprung free when Riley Barber made a nice outlet pass. Whitney put the puck past Phantom’s goaltender John Muse and tied the game 1-1.
As the final horn went off the end the first period, Tyler Lewington and T.J. Brennan shared fists. The fight was a rough one as both players got in a few decent shots. This could change the tone of the game starting in the second.
1st Period Scoring:
LV Goal: 7:54 – Corban Knight (13), Assist(s): Cole Bardreau (15) (SH)
HER Goal: 16:09 – Joe Whitney (12), Assist(s): Riley Barber (18)
1st Period Shots: LV – 8, HER – 7
2nd Period:
Hershey would be granted a power play when Tyrell Goulbourne would go off for hooking. The Bears would capitalize on this one when Wayne Simpson would score his 12th goal of the season. The pass came from new comer (from South Carolina Sting Rays), Tim McGauley. This would be his first point since being called up to the AHL.
The Phantoms would answer back when Mikhail Vorobyev would score from the point on a scramble play where the Bears could not clear the zone. This would be Vorobyev’s 7th goal of the year.
2nd Period Scoring:
HER Goal: 4:51 – Wayne Simpson (12), Assist(s): Tim McGualey (1), Dustin Gazley (18) (PP)
LV Goal: 13:56 – Mikhail Vorobyev (7), Assist(s): Cole Bardreau (16), Mike Vecchione (21)
2nd Period Shots: LV – 11, HER – 11
3rd Period:
Third period was controlled by the Phantoms. When the Bears would enter the zone, they could not muster up any offense.
Copley would keep the Bears alive, stopping all 13 shots in the period. None more bigger than the sprawling save he made off of a rebound from Chris Conner. This kept the game tied as it goes to overtime.
3rd Period Scoring:
None
3rd Period Shots: LV – 13, HER – 4
Overtime/Shootout:
Bears would start on the penalty kill when Riley Barber took a tripping penalty late in the third period. Phantoms could not capitalize on the changes they had to end the game as they ended up with no shots on the power play.
The overtime was highlighted with a breakaway save from Pheonix Copley with six seconds left in the overtime period. This would keep it tied and send it into a shootout.
During the shootout, Phantom’s forward Mikhail Vorobyev would end it in the 5th frame, crushing the Bear’s fans hopes even more of a potential playoff come back.
The Bears would gain a point but needed two as they fall further behind in the standings.
Overtime Scoring:
None
Overtime Shots: LV – 1, HER – 0
Total Shots: LV – 36, HER – 24
Three Stars:
- LV – Mikhail Vorobyev – 1 Goal (winning shootout goal)
- HER – Pheonix Colpey – 33 Saves on 35 shots.
- LV – Corban Knight – 1 Goal
HIGHLIGHTS:
