Vitek Vanecek makes 24 saves, Brian Pinho scores a goal and an assist to lead Hershey to a 5-2 victory over Bridgeport.
The Hershey Bears (12-9-2-3) host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (10-14-3-1) for the first time since last years Atlantic Division Semifinals on April 25th. This is their second meeting against one another this year, with the first game in Bridgeport. Hershey lost the game 3-2.
In net for Hershey was Vitek Vanecek (6-4-1-1) and for Bridgeport Jakub Skarek (2-4-0-0).
1st Period:
The Hershey Bears went to work early. Brian Pinho skated the puck into the neutral zone, feeding Axel Jonsson-Fjallby as they crossed the blue line. Jonsson-Fjallby waited for the perfect time to pass the puck back to Pinho, who deflected the puck right past Skarek to give Hershey an early 1-0 lead.
BEARS GOAL!!! Brian Pinho with the deflection! Assisted by Axel Jonsson-Fjallby#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #BRIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/PpsiugrJN0
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) December 15, 2019
The Sound Tigers tied the game quickly after. Bridgeport created a turnover at the blue line cycled the puck around Hershey’s zone. They worked the puck down to Kieffer Bellows who passed the puck through Vanecek’s crease. Unfortunately, the puck hit a Tyler Lewington’s skate and into the net. This tied the game 1-1.
Tie game after @TheSoundTigers' Kieffer Bellows banks one past Vanecek. 1-1 With just over 12 minutes to play in the first period.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #BRIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/0mJeOuDyRf
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) December 15, 2019
Four minutes later, Hershey responded. Mike Sgarbossa entered the zone on a 2 on 2 with Garrett Pilon. Sgarbossa’s intentions were to pass the puck to Pilon but Sound Tigers defenseman Seth Helgeson defected the puck through the five hole of Skarek. This gave Hershey a 2-1 lead.
BEARS GOAL!!! There must be something in the water tonight…another deflected goal, time time with a little help from @TheSoundTigers. Mike Sgarbossa makes it 2-1 @TheHersheyBears with 8:07 left to play in the first.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #BRIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/8d3DlxpySk
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) December 15, 2019
The Bears were not done in the first period. Liam O’Brien found Philippe Maillet left all alone in front of Skarek, with five blue sweaters around him. The pass went right to Maillet’s stick, giving Skarek no chance at saving the puck. Hershey went into the locker room with a 3-1 lead after one period of play.
BEARS GOAL!! Make it another one for @TheHersheyBears with Philippe Maillet with his 4th of the season, assisted by Liam O'Brien. 3-1 Bears over @TheSoundTigers late in the first period.#HBH #HersheyBears #DefendTheDen #BRIvsHER @CapsOutsider pic.twitter.com/2eUL9CzHCC
— Cory Lyons (@CoryLyonsAHL) December 15, 2019
1st Period Shots: HER – 10, BRI – 5
1st Period Scoring:
1:49 – HER: Goal – Brian Pinho (4), Assist(s) – Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (3)
7:48 – BRI: Goal – Kieffer Bellows (7), Assist(s) – Kyle Burroughs (3), Jeff Kubiak (5)
11:44 – HER: Goal – Mike Sgarbossa (10), Assist(s) – Joe Snively (4)
12:38 – HER: Goal – Philippe Maillet (4), Assist(s) – Liam O’Brien (7), Alex Alexeyev (11)
2nd Period:
At the start of the second period, Bridgeport made a push to get back into the game. Parker Wotherspoon threw the puck on net from the point. The puck was deflected by Andrew Ladd in front. The puck slipped past Vanecek who was sliding the other way. This got the Sound Tigers within a goal early in the second period. The score was 3-2.
Parker Wotherspoon shoots from the blue line, Andrew Ladd with the tip! 🚨🐯🚨 pic.twitter.com/drH6EIJtLE
— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) December 15, 2019
Hershey responded about four minutes later while on the power play. Matt Moulson collected a rebound. Moulson shot the puck, low glove side on Skarek and beat him clean. This gave Hershey a 4-2 lead.
🍻🍻CHEERS!🍻🍻
MOULSON'S ON THE BOARD #HBH pic.twitter.com/WzWpk7nu1O
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) December 15, 2019
The Bears tallied one more goal just fourteen seconds later. Brian Pinho found Liam O’Brien streaking into the slot. O’Brien deflected the puck into the top corner and gave Hershey a 5-2 lead.
2nd Period Shots: HER – 5, BRI – 12
2nd Period Scoring:
1:26 – BRI: Goal – Andrew Ladd (5), Assist(s): Parker Wotherspoon (9), Jeff Kubiak (6)
5:59 – HER: Goal – Matt Moulson (6), Assist(s): Mike Sgarbossa (15), Bobby Nardella (5)
6:13 – HER: Goal – Liam O’Brien (6), Assist(s): Brian Pinho (7), Brett Leason (5)
3rd Period:
In the third period, there wasn’t much to talk about other than a few hits. Eddie Wittchow had the check of the game with this beauty.
BIG EDDIE! 💪 #HBH pic.twitter.com/zN3TnLzxMN
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) December 15, 2019
There was also some bad blood between Kale Kessy and Parker Wotherspoon. Kessy wanted to drop mitts but Wotherspoon didn’t want any of the caveman.
Thank the linesman later, blue sweater #HBH pic.twitter.com/SV1jMiFfsp
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) December 15, 2019
Hershey went on to defeat Bridgeport 5-2!
3rd Period Shots: HER – 3, BRI – 9
Overall Shots: HER – 18, BRI – 26
3rd Period Scoring:
None
Three Stars:
- HER: Brian Pinho – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- HER: Liam O’Brien – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- HER: Alex Alexeyev – 1 Assist
Photos in this post are courtesy of Cory Lyons. You can follow him on Twitter at @CoryLyonsAHL.
