With last week’s difficulties behind them, the Hershey Bears scored two straight wins over the Portland Pirates. The Chocolate and White now sit third in the Atlantic Division after leapfrogging the Springfield Falcons. They are now on the first three-game win streak of the season.
Special teams proved the decisive factor in a tight contest on Friday night. Logan Shaw scored early on Justin Peters, but Chris Bourque tied the game with a power play strike with a pass from Aaron Ness. Dustin Gazley gave the Bears the lead, but it lasted 31 seconds when Dylan Olsen got a lucky deflection off a Bears’ skate. With 2:17 to go in regulation and the score tied at two, the Pirates were given a four minute power play. Garrett Mitchell sprang Connor Carrick, who scored shorthanded with just 14.8 seconds left to secure the victory.
The Bears returned Saturday night to GIANT Center in dominating fashion, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and chasing Portland starter Sam Brittain. Bourque scored first and fired the shot for the second goal tipped by Travis Boyd. Paul Carey deflected Ryan Stanton‘s slap pass for Mike McKenna‘s only allowed goal. Brittain came back on in the third and gave the Pirates a chance for a comeback. Kyle Rau and Logan Shaw scored late, but Dan Ellis completed the win with 25 saves.
NEXT WEEK
Hershey will play the Providence Bruins at home on Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday, they travel to Lehigh Valley and then to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday. All games are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. (Providence) or 7:05 p.m. (Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton).
CURRENT STANDING
3rd in Atlantic Division, 9-5-0-3 (W-L-OTL-SOL), 21 Points
