Hershey loses the lead late and drops game 1 in double overtime. Aaron Ness left the game due to injury while Ilya Samsonov made 50 saves in the effort.
All photos in this post are courtesy of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Follow Cory Lyons on Twitter @CoryLyonsAHL for live game updates of the Hershey Bears.
The Hershey Bears travel to Bridgeport to battle against the Sound Tigers in game one of the Calder Cup playoffs. During the regular season, these two teams met up six separate times. The season series was split with both teams getting three wins but oddly enough, the road team’s record is 2-1.
Devante Smith-Pelly was called up prior to the start of the game to the Washington Capitals due to T.J. Oshie‘s injury. Vitek Vanecek was also sent back down to Hershey during the same transaction and was backing up Ilya Samsonov in game 1.
Both Riley Barber and Garrett Pilon return to the line up after sitting out since April 4th (Barber) and April 5th (Pilon). Barber finished the season with 31 goals. This was just three goals behind the leaders Carter Verhaeghe and Alex Barre-Boulet of the Syracuse Crunch.
This will be just the second time these two teams will play one another in the playoffs. Last time was in 2010 when Hershey defeated Bridgeport in five games (best of 5) in the opening round of the Calder Cup playoffs. Hershey went on to win their 11th Calder Cup that season.
1st Period:
The story of the first period was Ilya Samsonov. Several times in the period, Samsonov stole the show with great saves after great saves. Hershey could not get out of their own way. When the Bears finally got some bounces their way, penalties were called.
The Bears sent three different players to the box in the first period but survived it all. The score was 0-0 going into the first intermission and if you are a Bears fan, this should make you happy.
1st Period Shots: HER – 5, BRI 15
1st Period Scoring:
None
2nd Period:
Chris McCarthy who just a few weeks ago was the captain of the Reading Royals, joins the Bears on a tryout contract, makes some impressions and now scores the first goal of the playoffs for Hershey. McCarthy found himself alone in the slot after Steven Whitney put on a nice forecheck in the corner. This gave Hershey a 1-0 lead.
First goal of the game came from Chris McCarthy! Again sorry for no audio but this is better than no video at all!#HBH #HersheyBears #HERvsBRI #DefendTheDen #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/hHjDveMFgL
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
Shortly after, Mike Sgarbossa was taking off for a double minor high sticking. During the penalty kill for the Bears, Jayson Megna turned on the jets, fought through the defense and scored short handed. This gave Hershey a 2-0 lead.
MEGNA MAGIC! #HBH #BRIvsHER pic.twitter.com/CIExpk7duU
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 20, 2019
Before the second penalty was over, Bridgeport scored on the power play. Otto Koivula shot the puck on net and Kieffer Bellows scored on the rebound. This pulled the Sound Tigers within one goal and make the score 2-1 before the intermission.
Power play goal for @TheSoundTigers. Bellows credited with the power play goal. 2-1 @TheHersheyBears with 5:30 left to play in the second period.#HBH #HersheyBears #HERvsBRI #DefendTheDen #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/ZvxgQcrlAJ
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
Hershey has struggled to slow down Bridgeport at times but Ilya Samsonov has done what he can to keep this game close.
Here is one of many saves from Ilya Samsonov tonight. This was so far was the biggest. Fantastic game so far for the kid. #HBH #HersheyBears #HERvsBRI #DefendTheDen #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/3fP9pxJC0A
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
2nd Period Shots: HER – 9, BRI – 12
2nd Period Scoring:
8:16 – HER: Chris McCarthy(1) ASST: Steve Whitney(1), Tyler Lewington(1)
13:02 – HER: Jayson Megna(1) ASST: None(SH)
14:21 – BRI: Kieffer Bellows(1) ASST: Otto Koivula(1), Matt Lorito(1)(PP)
3rd Period:
The story of this period was the hit thrown on Aaron Ness. The play was small and I will let you make your own conclusions but Ness was taken off the ice on a stretcher. The scene was scary and we hope everything turns out to be fine. It was later reported that Ness was taken to the hospital for x-rays. He was responsive and is going to be alright.
Aaron Ness is being taken off on a stretcher. Scary scene here in Bridgeport.#HBH #HersheyBears #HERvsBRI #DefendTheDen #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/ZVw1ug5lAd
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
Once the game was restarted, it took awhile for the teams to build the energy to play. Late in the period, Chris Bourque drew a tripping penalty. During the penalty kill, Connor Hobbs lost his stick. Jayson Megna decided to throw his stick to Hobbs but was called for throwing equipment. This gave Bridgeport a 5 on 3 power play and they cashed in. Steve Bernier tapped home the rebound and sent this game into overtime tied 2-2.
3rd Period Shots: HER – 9, BRI – 8
3rd Period Scoring:
17:52 – BRI: Steve Bernier(1) ASST: Sebastian Aho(1), Matt Lorito(2)(PP)
Overtimes:
It took two overtimes but the Bridgeport Sound Tigers ended the game on the power play. Kieffer Bellows scored his second goal of the night while camping out in the slot.
Double OT goal for @TheSoundTigers #HBH #HersheyBears #HERvsBRI #DefendTheDen #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/aQytBhzXL2
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
Hershey loses in double overtime to Bridgeport 3-2.
Three Stars:
- BRI – Kieffer Bellows – 2 goals
- BRI – Steve Bernier – 1 goal
- HER – Ilya Samsonov – 50 saves
Official Box Score: https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1019534
All photos in this post are courtesy of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
