Maillet scores his first goal as a Bear while Vanecek only allows one in regulation as Hershey falls to Utica in a shootout 2-1.
The Hershey Bears (4-3-1-0) are back from their road trip where they went 2-2 during that time. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby scored four goals during the road trip marking his first hot streak in a Bears uniform. The Bears return home to host the undefeated Utica Comets (6-0-0-0) for the first time this season.
1ST PERIOD:
From the start of the game, the pace was fast with hard hits from both teams. This led to many small scraps:
Things are getting a little feisty tonight in Hershey.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen @UTIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/rThefVvZnf
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 26, 2019
Utica opened the scoring midway through the first period. Adam Gaudette used Christian Djoos as a screen and the puck beat Vitek Vanecek under the blocker to give Utica the first goal of the game.
The @UticaComets take a 1-0 lead over @TheHersheyBears half way through the first period with this goal from Adam Gaudette.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen @UTIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/Tg97kKSwXj
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 26, 2019
1ST PERIOD SHOTS: HER – 7 UTI – 10
1ST PERIOD SCORING:
9:36 – UTI – Adam Gaudette (1); Assists: Sven Baertschi (7), Guillaume Brisebois (2)
2ND PERIOD:
The second period was focused in the Utica zone for most of the twenty minutes. Hershey outshot Utica fourteen to four coming close several times to making this a tied game. Michael DiPietro stood tall and making all fourteen saves to preserve their 1-0 lead going into the locker room.
2ND PERIOD SHOTS: HER – 14 UTI – 4
2ND PERIOD SCORING:
None
3RD PERIOD:
The third period started with a bang. Martin Fehervary was hit hard at center ice. This did not stand well with Kale Kessy who decided to introduce himself to Vincent Arseneau.
Everyone, meet @KaleKessy….#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen @UTIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/f34MkF6xtT
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 27, 2019
This fight sparked more energy into the Giant Center and gave The Bears what they needed to score their first goal of the game. Philippe Maillet found himself alone in the slot with the puck and he made no mistake. Maillet shot the puck past Michael DiPietro to tie the game at 1 half way through the third period.
GOAL!! Philippe Maillet breaks the ice and we got a tie game!#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen @UTIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/f2UKHvfEN6
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 27, 2019
Hershey was granted a gift with just seconds remaining in regulation. Beck Malenstyn picked up a loose puck in front of DiPietro, turned and fired. The puck went past DiPietro but unfortunately for Hershey, hit the post.
Beck Malenstyn hits the post with seconds remaining in the third period that would of won the game. Instead, we go to overtime!@TheHersheyBears – 1@UticaComets – 1#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen @UTIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/UdPKiRTdXx
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 27, 2019
3RD PERIOD SHOTS: HER – 6 UTI – 1
3RD PERIOD SCORING:
6:09 – HER – Philippe Maillet (1); Assists: Steve Whitney (1), Alex Alexeyev (5)
Overtime:
Both teams had their chances and both Michael DiPietro and Vitek Vanecek answered the call. This was as close as Hershey got to scoring.
This was the closest @TheHersheyBears came to scoring in overtime. pic.twitter.com/GtbL1M3V49
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 27, 2019
OVERTIME SHOTS: HER – 6 UTI – 1
OVERTIME SCORING:
None
SHOOTOUT:
Both Vanecek and DiPietro were fantastic in the shootout but someone had to win. It all came down to the AHL’s leading scorer Reid Boucher to end the game.
The leader of @TheAHL in scoring just ended our game with the only goal in the shootout.
Final score:@TheHersheyBears – 1@UticaComets – 2#HBH #HersheyBears @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/34oFtbSyMm
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) October 27, 2019
Hershey is defeated by Utica 2-1 in a shootout.
OFFICIAL BOX SCORE: https://theahl.com/stats/game-center/1019733
All photos in this post are courtesy of Cory Lyons. You can follow him on Twitter @CoryLyonsAHL.
