For the Caps, It Shouldn’t Hurt So Bad, But It Does
The Caps had the Panthers beat three games in a row, but...
Vitek Vanecek had 39 saves and Mike Sgarbossa had 1 goal and 1 assist to lead Hershey to a 2-0 victory over Bridgeport. The best of 5 series is now all tied up 1-1.
Cover photo brought to you by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Follow Cory Lyons on Twitter @CoryLyonsAHL for live updates of the Hershey Bears as they fight for their 12th Calder Cup.
Photo courtesy of Bridgeport Sound Tigers
The Hershey Bears look to even the best of five series against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after last night’s double overtime thriller. Bridgeport leads the series 1-0.
The Bears adjust their line up with multiple changes from game 1. Liam O’Brien returns from a three game suspension. O’Brien replaced Brian Pinho. Colby Williams replaced Joey Leach and Tobias Geisser replaced the injured Aaron Ness. Last but not least, Vitek Vanecek got the start for game 2 with Ilya Samsonov getting called up to the Washington Capitals earlier that day.
Here's our lineup for tonight's 7 p.m. puck drop prior to Game 2 against Bridgeport #HBH pic.twitter.com/7ZAkZPhkm7
— x – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 20, 2019
Hershey came out with more fire than they did the first game. Hard hits are now returned from both teams while the Bears received more offensive pressure.
Mike Sgarbossa scored his first goal of the post season when he deflected a shot from Lucas Johansen. The shot came from the point and the puck went through three people before it hit Sgarbossa’s stick and into the net. This gave the Bears a 1-0 lead that they took into the locker room.
GOAL for Mike Sgarbossa. Deflected from @LucasJohansen97 to give @TheHersheyBears a 1-0 lead.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #HERvsBRI #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/WdTfdhVNXq
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 20, 2019
1st Period Shots: HER – 13, BRI – 12
11:15 – HER: Mike Sgarbossa(1) ASST: Lucas Johansen(1), Riley Barber(1)
Riley Barber picked up a turnover in the neutral zone and headed into the offensive zone with a 2 on 1. Barber passed the puck over to Mike Sgarbossa who returned the puck for a give and go play. Barber finished with a beauty of a goal to give Hershey a 2-0 lead.
Riley Barber with the great finish to give @TheHersheyBears a 2-0 lead over @TheSoundTigers in the second period.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #HERvsBRI #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/VRmohcFrXW
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 21, 2019
There hasn’t been as many shots for the Sound Tigers but Vitek Vanecek was lights out through two periods. Hershey entered the locker room with the score of 2-0.
Not as busy as Ilya Samsonov but @vitacz15 is still making just as many good saves. @TheHersheyBears are fortunate to have such a good duo this season. #HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #HERvsBRI #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/Wqi86qafoT
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 21, 2019
2nd Period Shots: HER – 13, BRI – 9
4:07 – HER: Riley Barber(1) ASST: Mike Sgarbossa(1)
The period belonged to Vitek Vanecek. The Bears goaltender was a brick wall in the third period with only making one mistake. Fortunately Chris McCarty was there to save the day.
This was the goal Chris McCarthy prevented. He is looking like a good sign from the @ReadingRoyals.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #HERvsBRI #CalderCup #CalderCupPlayoffs @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/OyJicaNacr
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 21, 2019
BEARS WIN! @vitacz15 with a huge shutout and @TheHersheyBears tie up the series 1-1! We will be in Hershey on Tuesday!#HBH #HersheyBears @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/AzW2NvjBib
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) April 21, 2019
3rd Period Shots: HER – 8, BRI – 18
Overall Shots: HER – 34, BRI – 39
None
Official Box Score: https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1019535
Photos in the gallery are courtesy of Heary/Cohen.