For the second time in a week, Bridgeport defeats Hershey. Devante Smith-Pelly makes his home debut in the loss. Samsonov allows three while Pilon scores the Bears only goal.
Follow Cory Lyons on Twitter for live game updates of the Hershey Bears at @CoryLyonsAHL.
The Hershey Bears (32-21-1-3) host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (33-18-5-2) to the Giant Center for the second time this season. These two teams faced off against one another just last week when the Sound Tigers defeated the Bears 5-1 which broke the Bears 17 game point streak, going 16-0-0-1 in that span.
Bridgeport sits just five points ahead of Hershey for second place in the Atlantic division. The Bears have one less game played and these two teams will see each two more times after tonight.
Hershey welcomes Devante Smith-Pelly to the Giant Center for the first time tonight. Smith-Pelly recorded his first point as a Bear with a primary assist to Liam O’Brien’s first period goal last night against the Utica Comets.
1st Period:
Knowing that there is a lot on the line as far as playoff positioning, Bridgeport wasted no time getting a lead over Hershey. Otto Koivula took the puck in the corner and found Michael Dal Colle who was cutting to the slot. Dal Colle picked up the puck through two defenders and shot it over Ilya Samsonov’s glove side shoulder, giving the Sound Tigers a 1-0 lead early in the first period.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Michael Dal Colle Scored ♥#SoundTigers pic.twitter.com/A6cstoou92
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) March 3, 2019
Nearing the end of the period, Tyler Lewington took an unnecessary cross checking penalty. The Sound Tigers took advantage when Steve Bernier pounded home a rebound. The original shot threw Samsonov off of his position, which caused panic in front of the net. Samsonov never recovered and the puck slipped by him. This power play goal gave Bridgeport a 2-0 lead going into the locker room.
1st Period Shots: HER – 7, BRI – 10
1st Period Scoring:
1:58 – BRI: Michael Dal Colle(18) ASST: Otto Koivula(23), Josh Ho-Sang(30)
17:04 – BRI: Steve Bernier(19) ASST: Travis St. Denis(20), Mitchell Vande Sompel(18)
2nd Period:
Hershey found its way onto the score board early in the period. The puck was at the point and shot by Jonas Siegenthaler. The shot was blocked but Garrett Pilon picked up the puck and shot it, bar down and past Gibson to give the Bears their first goal of the game. This was Pilon’s 6th goal of the season and it cut the lead to 2-1 in favor of the Sound Tigers.
12:45 left in the 2nd, and the Bears are within one thanks to this BULLET by @gpilon41 #HBH #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/6HSk51E4uu
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 3, 2019
Bridgeport took back their two goal lead half way through the period. Travis St. Denis was all alone when he cut across the blue line. St. Denis shot the puck and beat Ilya Samsonov on the blocker side to give Bridgeport a 3-1 lead going into the third period.
2nd Period Shots: HER – 15, BRI – 6
2nd Period Scoring:
13:17 – BRI: Travis St. Denis(14) ASST: None(PP)
3rd Period:
Hershey dominated the period, calculating sixteen shots while only allowing two but the period belonged to Sound Tigers goaltender Christopher Gibson. He played lights out, not giving up any goals.
Bridgeport did add an empty net goal near the end of the period. Tanner Fritz was credited with the goal and Bridgeport went home with a 4-1 win.
Hershey is defeated by Bridgeport 4-1.
3rd Period Shots: HER – 16, BRI – 2
Overall Shots: HER – 38, BRI – 18
3rd Period Scoring:
19:11 – BRI: Tanner Fritz(12) ASST: Chris Bourque(32), Michael Dal Colle(16)(EN)
Three Stars:
- BRI – Christopher Gibson – 37 saves, win
- BRI – Steve Bernier – 1 goal, GWG
- HER – Garrett Pilon – 1 goal
Official Box Score: https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1019211
Photos are courtesy of Cory Lyons. You can follow him on Twitter at @CoryLyonsAHL or on instagram at @corylyonsphoto.
