Regular Season Game 33: Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3, Hershey Bears 1 (12/31/15)

Box Score

Hershey (16-10-1-5) vs. Lehigh Valley (15-16-1-1)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Peters (8-4-3, 2.76) vs. LaBarbera (2-7-0, 3.33)

1st Period
Scoring
11:12- LV Goal (PPG): Palushaj (7), Brent & Morin

Penalties
2:08- LV Penalty: Goulbourne for Fighting (5:00)
2:08- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Fighting (5:00)
4:08- HER Penalty: Stanton for Cross-Checking (2:00)
6:59- LV Penalty: Morin for Interference (2:00)
9:25- HER Penalty: Mitchell for Boarding (2:00)
18:53- LV Penalty: McDonald for Interference (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring
13:38- LV Goal: Martel (11), Pettersson

Penalties
6:46- LV Penalty: MacDonald for Tripping (2:00)
9:45- HER Penalty: Stanton for Kneeing (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
17:25- HER Goal: Djoos (3), Bourque & Gazley
18:59- LV Goal (EN): Martel (12), Gagner & Brent

Penalties
7:02- LV Penalty: Morin for Delay of Game (2:00)

Shots
HER: 12-10-6=28
LV: 18-5-12=35

Next Game: Saturday vs. Binghamton, 7:00

Note: The recaps will return with the next game.

Regular Season Game 32: Syracuse Crunch 3, Hershey Bears 1 (12/29/15)

Box Score

Hershey (16-9-1-5) vs. Syracuse (12-12-4-1)
Giant Center: Hershey, PA
Goalies: Ellis (8-4-3) vs. Vasilevskiy (4-3-1)

1st Period
Scoring
No Goals

Penalties
5:29- SYR Penalty: Blunden for Slashing (2:00)
5:29- SYR Penalty: Blunden for Fighting (5:00)
5:29- HER Penalty: Moore for Fighting (5:00)
9:43- SYR Penalty: Darcy for Slashing (2:00)
12:57- HER Penalty: Moore for Tripping (2:00)
17:26- SYR Penalty: Walcott for Holding (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring
9:15- SYR Goal: McGinn (10), Tambellini & Koekkoek
17:47- HER Goal (PPG): Camper (5), Carey & Boyd
19:48- SYR Goal: Broll (1), Darcy

Penalties
4:45- HER Penalty: Brown for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (2:00)
14;25- SYR Penalty: Paradis for High-Sticking (Double Minor) (4:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
4:58- SYR Goal: McGinn (11), Walcott & Mormina

Penalties
2:22- SYR Penalty: Paradis for Interference (2:00)
2:22- HER Penalty: Herbert for Holding (2:00)
7:11- HER Penalty: Ness for Tripping (2:00)
11:24- HER Penalty: Lewington for Charging (Major) (5:00)
11:24- HER Penalty: Lewington Game Misconduct for Charging (10:00)
11:39- SYR Penalty: Erne for Spearing (Major) (5:00)
11:39- SYR Penalty: Erne Game Misconduct for Spearing (10:00)
12:35- SYR Penalty: DeAngelo for Slashing (2:00)

Shots
HER: 12-14-4=30
SYR: 1-8-8=17

Next Game: Tomorrow vs. Lehigh Valley, 5:00

Regular Season Game 31: Binghamton Senators 5, Hershey Bears 3 (12/27/15)

Box Score

Hershey (16-8-1-5) vs. Binghamton (8-17-2-0)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Dekanich (1st Game) vs. Driedger (5-6-0, 3.02)

1st Period
Scoring
8:26- BNG Goal: Paul (2), Lindberg & Schneider
14:02- HER Goal: Brown (3), Carey & Ness

Penalties
3:46- HER Penalty: Bowey for Tripping (2:00)
10:03- BNG Penalty: O'Dell for Roughing (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring

8:15- BNG Goal (PPG): Puempel (8), Schneider & Kostka

9:07- HER Goal: Carey (12)

12:07- BNG Goal: Robinson (4), Lindberg

Penalties

0:51- BNG Penalty: Carlisle for Holding (2:00)

4:58- HER Penalty: Lewington for Roughing (2:00)

6:25- HER Penalty: Stanton for High-Sticking (2:00)

14:03- BNG Penalty: Ewanyk for Fighting (5:00)

14:03- HER Penalty: Lewington for Fighting (5:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

1:21- BNG Goal: Puempel (9), Flanagan

11:23- HER Goal: Boyd (5), Stephenson

19:00- BNG Goal (EN): Greening (6)

Penalties

No Penalties

Shots

HER: 9-9-13=31

BNG: 12-3-8=23

Recap

The turnovers cost the Bears in this game. A couple of the goals for the Senators were easy ones due to those turnovers. Starting in the 1st, Binghamton would be able to get on the board first with a goal at the 8:26 mark. Nick Paul scored his 2nd of the season, from Tobias Lindberg & Cole Schneider. However, the Bears would be able to tie it back up later in the period. Chris Brown scored his 3rd of the season, from Paul Carey & Aaron Ness. After the 1st, the Senators had the 12-9 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the Bears would keep the Senators from having many shots on goal, but that wouldn't stop them from scoring. At the 8:15 mark, Binghamton took the lead back on a power play. Matt Puempel scored his 8th of the season, from Cole Schneider (2nd assist of night) & Michael Kostka. 52 seconds later, the Bears tied it back up. Paul Carey scored his 12th of the season unassisted. This would be one of the times where the turnovers hurt the Bears, as one would lead to the Senators taking the 3-2 lead (at the 12:07 mark). Buddy Robinson scored his 4th of the season, from Tobias Lindberg (2nd assist of night). After the 2nd, the Bears had the 18-15 shot advantage.

In the 3rd, the game started to feel like the game against Syracuse where the Bears came back, as Binghamton scored early to make it 4-2. Matt Puempel scored his 2nd of the night (9th of season), from Kyle Flanagan. With 8:37 left, the Bears got within one. Travis Boyd scored his 5th of the season, from Chandler Stephenson. However, the Bears would get no closer, as with one minute left, the Senators got the empty-net goal to seal the win. Colin Greening scored his 6th of the season unassisted. Hershey finished with the 31-23 shot advantage.

Next Game: Tuesday vs. Syracuse, 7:00

Regular Season Game 30: Hershey Bears 5, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 0 (12/26/15)

Box Score

Hershey (15-8-1-5) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (21-5-0-1)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Ellis (7-4-3, 2.95) vs. Foster (1-0-1, 1.44), Desmith (1st Game)

1st Period

Scoring

0:34- HER Goal: Ness (2), Collins & Sill
1:23- HER Goal: Brown (2), Moore & Camper
10:56- HER Goal (PPG): Bowey (2), Camper & Brown

Penalties

3:29- HER Penalty: Sill for Hooking (2:00)
9:26- WBS Penalty: Sundqvist for Slashing (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring

10:03- HER Goal (PPG): Carey (11), Camper & Bowey

11:22- HER Goal: Burgdoerfer (3), Sill & Collins

Penalties

5:04- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Cross-Checking (2:00)

8:39- WBS Penalty: Erixon for Tripping (2:00)

20:00- WBS Penalty: Kostopoulos for Cross-Checking (2:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

No Goals

Penalties

1:22- WBS Penalty: Sundqvist for Tripping (2:00)

6:23- HER Penalty: Gazley for Hooking (2:00)

16:26- HER Penalty: Bowey for Interference (2:00)

19:18- HER Penalty: Boyd for Closing Hand on Puck (2:00)

Shots

HER: 15-6-7=28

WBS: 7-6-8=21

Recap

What a way to catch up a bit to the division leaders! It's always good to get such a dominant win against a rival. The Bears didn't wait long to get on the board, as they would get their first goal 34 seconds into the game. Aaron Ness scored his 2nd of the game, from Sean Collins & Zach Sill. Less than a minute later, the Bears made it 2-0. Chris Brown scored his 2nd of the season, from Mike Moore & Carter Camper. Later on in the period (at the 10:56 mark), the struggling Hershey power play would break through. Madison Bowey scored his 2nd of the season, from Carter Camper (2nd assist of night) & Chris Brown (2nd point of night). After the 1st, the Bears had the 15-7 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the scoring would continue for the Bears. At the 10:03 mark, they would be able to get another power play goal to make it 4-0. Paul Carey scored his 11th of the season, from Carter Camper (3rd assist of night) & Madison Bowey (2nd point of night). Only 1:19 later, the score would be 5-0. Erik Burgdoerfer scored his 3rd of the season, from Zach Sill & Sean Collins (both 2nd assists of night). In the 3rd, the Penguins would switch goalies, and Casey Desmith made his AHL debut. Dan Ellis would struggle to finish the game with an apparent injury later in the period, but he stayed in to get the 21-save shutout (Bears had 28 shots on goal).

Next Game: Tomorrow vs. Binghamton, 5:00

Regular Season Game 29: Hershey Bears 5, Syracuse Crunch 4 (F/OT) (12/20/15)

Box Score

Hershey (14-8-1-5) vs. Syracuse (11-11-3-1)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Peters (8-4-3, 2.62), Ellis (6-4-3, 3.03) vs. Wilcox (2-3-3, 3.20)

1st Period
Scoring

8:06- SYR Goal (PPG): McGinn (7), Erne & Tambellini

10:45- SYR Goal (PPG): Erne (2), Paradis & Taormina

13:21- SYR Goal (PPG): McGinn (8), DeAngelo & Peca

Penalties

5:48- HER Penalty: Bench Minor for Too Many Men (Served by Brown) (2:00)

7:36- HER Penalty: Ness for Delay of Game (2:00)

9:19- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Checking from Behind (Major) (5:00)

9:19- HER Penalty: O'Brien Game Misconduct for Checking from Behind (10:00)

2nd Period

Scoring

13:39- HER Goal: Stanton (2), Camper & Walker
14:42- HER Goal: Stephenson (3), Barber & Bowey

Penalties

5:21- SYR Penalty: Paradis for Hooking (2:00)
10:19- SYR Penalty: Broll for Cross-Checking (2:00)
16:22- SYR Penalty: Paradis for Roughing (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring

2:25- SYR Goal (SHG): Tambellini (11), Paradis

9:00- HER Goal: Collins (4), Moore & Walker

11:22- HER Goal: Djoos (2), Stephenson & Gazley

Penalties

1:36- SYR Penalty: Blujus for Tripping (2:00)

4:08- HER Penalty: Djoos for Hooking (2:00)

18:02- SYR Penalty: DeAngelo for Roughing (2:00)

Overtime

Scoring

0:25- HER Goal: Collins (5), Stephenson

Penalties

No Penalties

Shots

HER: 6-21-16-1=44

SYR: 8-5-3-0=16

Recap

With how that first period was going, it was looking like it would be another rough game for the Bears. However, they were able to make a huge comeback to win the game in overtime! That first period was a rough one. On one of their power plays in the period, the Crunch would get on the board first (at the 8:06 mark). Tye McGinn scored his 7th of the season, from Adam Erne & Jeff Tambellini. Liam O'Brien would once again get a penalty that would take him out for the rest of the game. On that major power play, the Crunch would score two more goals. The first goal was Adam Erne's 2nd of the season (2nd point of night), from Philippe Paradis & Matt Taormina. The second goal was Tye McGinn's 2nd of the night (8th of season), from Anthony DeAngelo & Matthew Peca. After the 1st, the Crunch had the 8-6 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the comeback would begin. The shots would come like crazy for the Bears, and at the 13:39 mark, they would finally get one in to make it 3-1. Ryan Stanton scored his 2nd of the season, from Carter Camper & Nathan Walker. Just 1:03 later, the score would become 3-2. Chandler Stephenson scored his 3rd of the season, from Riley Barber & Madison Bowey. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 27-13 shot advantage.

In the 3rd, at first, it looked like the comeback and shot advantage would go to waste, as the Crunch increased their lead to two on a shorthanded goal. Jeff Tambellini scored his 11th of the season (2nd point of night), from Philippe Paradis (2nd assist of night). However, another comeback would start up, as the Bears would get within one at the 9:00 mark. Sean Collins scored his 4th of the season, from Mike Moore & Nathan Walker (2nd assist of night). 2:22 later, the Bears tied the game up. Christian Djoos scored his 2nd of the season, from Chandler Stephenson (2nd point of night) & Dustin Gazley. In that overtime period, it would only take 25 seconds for the Bears to win the game. Sean Collins scored his 2nd of the night (5th of season), from Chandler Stephenson (2nd assist/3rd point of night). Hershey finished with the 44-16 shot advantage.

Next Game: Saturday vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 7:00

Regular Season Game 28: Toronto Marlies 6, Hershey Bears 2 (12/19/15)

Box Score

Hershey (14-7-1-5) vs. Toronto (22-5-2-0)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Ellis (6-3-3, 2.83), Peters (8-4-3, 2.57) vs. Emery (1-1-1, 3.30)

1st Period

Scoring

4:25- HER Goal: Ness (1), Bowey & Bourque
15:14- TOR Goal (PPG): Arcobello (12), Brennan & Leipsic

Penalties

1:45- HER Penalty: Stephenson for Hooking (2:00)
14:16- HER Penalty: Stephenson for Boarding (2:00)
14:48- HER Penalty: Sill for Slashing (2:00)
16:39- TOR Penalty: Bench Minor for Too Many Men (Served by Leivo) (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring
0:29- TOR Goal: Hyman (5), Carrick & Loov
8:11- TOR Goal: Leipsic (6), Frattin & Rupert
9:31- TOR Goal: Percy (3), Leivo & Arcobello
10:53- HER Goal: Camper (4), Bowey & Carey

Penalties
14:52- TOR Penalty: Brennan for Hooking (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
3:51- TOR Goal (PPG): Brennan (10), Arcobello & Findlay
12:45- TOR Goal: Brennan (11), Hyman & Clune

Penalties
2:37- TOR Penalty: Frattin for Fighting (5:00)
2:37- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Roughing (2:00)
2:37- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Fighting (5:00)
2:37- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer Misconduct for Unsportsmanlike Conduct (10:00)
10:33- TOR Penalty: Panik for Slashing (2:00)
10:33- HER Penalty: Brown for Roughing (2:00)
10:33- HER Penalty: Lewington Misconduct for Continuing Altercation (10:00)
15:48- HER Penalty: Walker for Tripping (2:00)

Shots
HER: 8-9-8=25
TOR: 7-12-8=27

Next Game: Today vs. Syracuse, 5:00

Regular Season Game 27: Lehigh Valley Phantoms 6, Hershey Bears 4 (12/18/15)

Box Score

Hershey (14-6-1-5) at Lehigh Valley (13-14-1-0)

PPL Center: Allentown, PA

Goalies: Peters (8-3-3, 2.33) vs. Stolarz (11-6-1, 2.07)

1st Period
Scoring
3:42- LV Goal: Morin (2), Cousins
5:44- HER Goal: Carey (10), Camper & Ness
10:29- HER Goal (PPG): Camper (3), Carey & O'Brien
11:54- HER Goal: Bourque (10), Stephenson & Moore
16:48- LV Goal (PPG): Leier (8), MacDonald & Straka

Penalties
9:11- LV Penalty: McDonald for High-Sticking (2:00)
14:31- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Interference (2:00)
16:12- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Boarding (2:00)
19:32- HER Penalty: Bourque for Holding (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring

5:58- LV Goal (PPG): Cousins (8), MacDonald & Straka

9:42- LV Goal (PPG): Lamarche (1), Palushaj & Cousins

Penalties

3:21- LV Penalty: Goumas for Tripping (2:00)

5:04- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Fighting (5:00)

5:04- HER Penalty: O'Brien Match Penalty for Check to the Head (10:00)

5:04- LV Penalty: Morin for Fighting (5:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

8:37- LV Goal: Alt (2), Morin & Palushaj

15:43- LV Goal: Bardreau (1), MacDonald & Lamarche

19:51- HER Goal: Boyd (4), Gazley & Carey

Penalties

3:59- LV Penalty: Goulbourne for Slashing (2:00)

Shots

HER: 8-7-10=25

LV: 16-11-7=34

Recap

With how this game started, it had looked like the Bears were going to have another good game. However, the Phantoms had other plans as the game went on. The 1st period was filled with goals, and it started with one by the Phantoms at the 3:42 mark. Samuel Morin scored his 2nd of the season, from Nick Cousins. Around 2 minutes later, the Bears tied the game at one. Paul Carey scored his 10th of the season, from Carter Camper & Aaron Ness. On a power play around halfway through the period, the Bears took the lead. Carter Camper scored his 3rd of the season (2nd point of night), from Paul Carey (2nd point of night) & Liam O'Brien. At the 11:54 mark, the lead would increase to two. Chris Bourque scored his 10th of the season, from Chandler Stephenson & Mike Moore. This is the point that the Phantoms took over, and it started with a goal at the 16:48 mark to trim the lead to one. Taylor Leier scored his 8th of the season, from Andrew MacDonald & Petr Straka. After the 1st, the Phantoms had the 16-8 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the Phantoms continued to dominate the play, and it started to show on the scoreboard. Liam O'Brien was charged with a match penalty (automatic ejection) for a check to the head. This penalty would mean that the Bears would be on the penalty kill no matter what for 5 minutes. Lehigh Valley would take advantage, as they got two goals on that power play to take the 4-3 lead. The first goal was Nick Cousins' 8th of the season (2nd point of night), from Andrew MacDonald & Petr Straka (both 2nd assists of night). The second goal was Maxim Lamarche's 1st of the season, from Aaron Palushaj & Nick Cousins (3rd point/2nd assist of night). After the 2nd, the Phantoms had the 27-15 shot advantage.

The 3rd period would get even worse for the Bears. At the 8:37 mark, the lead increased to two. Mark Alt scored his 2nd of the season, from Samuel Morin (2nd point of night) & Aaron Palushaj (2nd assist of night). Around 7 minutes later, it would become 6-3. Cole Bardreau scored his 1st of the season, from Andrew MacDonald (3rd assist of night) & Maxim Lamarche (2nd point of night). The Bears would get a goal with 9 seconds left to finish the scoring. Travis Boyd scored his 4th of the season, from Dustin Gazley & Paul Carey (3rd point/2nd assist of night). Lehigh Valley finished with the 34-25 shot advantage.

Next Game: Tomorrow vs. Toronto, 7:00

Regular Season Game 26: Hershey Bears 2, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1 (F/SO) (12/13/15)

Box Score

Hershey (13-6-1-5) at Bridgeport (16-10-1-0)

Webster Bank Arena: Bridgeport, CT

Goalies: Peters (7-3-3, 2.44) vs. Gibson (10-4-1, 2.11)

1st Period
Scoring
No Scoring

Penalties
6:34- BRI Penalty: Mayfield for Elbowing (2:00)
10:20- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Roughing (2:00)
16:39- HER Penalty: Bowey for Interference (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring
10:37- BRI Goal (PPG): Pulock (5), Graham & Whitney

Penalties
1:17- BRI Penalty: Holmstrom for Hooking (2:00)
5:24- HER Penalty: O'Brien for High-Sticking (2:00)
10:01- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Boarding (2:00)
15:24- BRI Penalty: Pelech for Interference (2:00)
15:36- HER Penalty: Boyd for Tripping (2:00)
17:15- HER Penalty: Stanton for Cross-Checking (2:00)
19:30- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Slashing (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
2:23- HER Goal (PPG): Collins (3), Bourque & Barber

Penalties
2:10- HER Penalty: Lewington for Roughing (2:00)
2:10- BRI Penalty: Beck for Roughing (2:00)
2:10- BRI Penalty: Wright for Roughing (2:00)
7:01- HER Penalty: Sill for Tripping (2:00)
11:31- BRI Penalty: Root for Hooking (2:00)

Overtime
Scoring
No Scoring

Penalties
No Penalties

Shootout
1st Round: HER- Gazley (No Goal), BRI- Whitney (No Goal)
2nd Round: HER- Carrick (Goal), BRI- Beck (No Goal)
3rd Round: HER- Boyd (Goal)
Hershey wins shootout 2-0

Shots
HER: 10-10-6-3=29
BRI: 9-9-12-3=33

Recap

The demons have been exercised! In their 6th shootout of the season, the Bears finally got a win! They were backed by a great performance from Justin Peters. The 1st period would not have much going, as the goalies stood strong. After the 1st, the Bears had the 10-9 shot advantage. In the 2nd, it would take a power play for the Sound Tigers to get on the board first (at the 10:37 mark). Ryan Pulock scored his 5th of the season, from Jesse Graham & Joe Whitney. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 20-18 shot advantage.

In the 3rd, after a scrum that led to a power play, the Bears would tie the game 13 seconds into that power play. Sean Collins scored his 3rd of the season, from Chris Bourque & Riley Barber. Each team would have a power play to take the lead, but both goalies continued their strong play. In the overtime period, each team had chances. Bridgeport would get a shot on goal with only a few seconds left, but Peters stopped it. Going into the shootout, the Sound Tigers finished with the 33-29 shot advantage. In the shootout, Connor Carrick and Travis Boyd would get goals, and Peters made sure Bridgeport didn't score.

Next Game: Friday at Lehigh Valley, 7:05

Regular Season Game 25: Hershey Bears 5, Binghamton Senators 3 (12/12/15)

Box Score

Hershey (12-6-1-5) vs. Binghamton (6-14-2-0)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Peters (6-3-3, 2.40) vs. Hammond (0-1-0, 4.06)

1st Period
Scoring

2:19- HER Goal: Barber (5), O'Brien & Burgdoerfer
11:47- HER Goal: Carrick (7), O'Brien & Boyd
12:21- HER Goal (PPG): Carrick (8), Boyd & Bourque
19:25- HER Goal: Stephenson (2), Barber & Bourque

Penalties

12:07- BNG Penalty: Stortini for Interference (2:00)
12:45- HER Penalty: Moore for Hooking (2:00)
14:52- BNG Penalty: Puempel for Roughing (2:00)
14:52- BNG Penalty: Dzingel for Abuse of Officials (Bench Minor) (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring

10:01- BNG Goal: Greening (5), Dzingel

15:57- BNG Goal: O'Dell (9), Dzingel & Claesson

Penalties

0:50- BNG Penalty: Ewanyk for Fighting (5:00)

0:50- BNG Penalty: Stortini for Roughing (2:00)

0:50- HER Penalty: Bowey for Interference (2:00)

0:50- HER Penalty: Gazley for Fighting (5:00)

0:50- HER Penalty: Stanton for Roughing (2:00)

2:19- HER Penalty: O'Brien for Cross-Checking (2:00)

5:10- BNG Penalty: Flanagan for Tripping (2:00)

11:38- BNG Penalty: Robinson for Goaltender Interference (2:00)
17:16- BNG Penalty: Harpur for Embellishment (2:00)
17:16- HER Penalty: Gazley for Hooking (2:00)
18:50- BNG Penalty: O'Dell for Holding (2:00)
19:19 -HER Penalty: Bourque for Slashing (2:00)
19:53- BNG Penalty: Fraser for High-Sticking (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
15:32- BNG Goal: Robinson (3), Claesson & Dzingel
19:24- HER Goal (EN): Bourque (9), Gazley

Penalties

4:41- BNG Penalty: Robinson for Hooking (2:00)

Shots

HER: 16-6-10=32

BNG: 13-14-5=32

Note: No recap with this one, as I only had time to do the box score due to previously planned engagements. Apologies!

Regular Season Game 24: Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3, Hershey Bears 2 (F/OT) (12/9/15)

Box Score

Hershey (12-6-0-5) at Lehigh Valley (11-12-1-0)

PPL Center: Allentown, PA

Goalies: Ellis (6-3-2, 2.83) vs. Stolarz (9-5-1, 1.84)

1st Period
Scoring
6:09- HER Goal (PPG): Carrick (6), Bourque & Barber

Penalties
5:48- LV Penalty: Morin for Cross-Checking (2:00)
8:05- HER Penalty: Barber for Tripping (2:00)
18:42- HER Penalty: Walker for Fighting (5:00)
18:42- LV Penalty: Cousins for Fighting (5:00)
19:17- HER Penalty: Burgdoerfer for Tripping (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring
9:06- HER Goal: Moore (2), Boyd & Bowey

Penalties
7:57- LV Penalty: Rosehill for Interference (2:00)
8:20- HER Penalty: Carrick for Tripping (2:00)
10:03- LV Penalty: Bench Minor for Too Many Men (Served by Rankin) (2:00)
14:55- LV Penalty: Alt for Cross-Checking (2:00)
18:10- LV Penalty: Morin for Cross-Checking (2:00)

3rd Period
Scoring
11:22- LV Goal: Straka (15), McDonald & Martel
17:01- LV Goal: Martel (9), Leier & Morin

Penalties
3:49- HER Penalty: Bourque for Slashing (2:00)
5:44- HER Penalty: Lewington for Boarding (2:00)
13:01- LV Penalty: Martel for Boarding (2:00)

Overtime
Scoring
3:45- LV Goal: Cousins (7), Leier

Penalties
No Penalties

Shots
HER: 7-8-4-1=20
LV: 11-4-12-4=31

Recap

This one is a tough one to lose. No matter what the shots say, the Bears had control of this game for most of it. It could have been 6 goals for them, but the posts had other plans. In the 1st, the Bears would get on the board first with a power play goal. Connor Carrick scored his 6th of the season, from Chris Bourque & Riley Barber. A fight would break out late in the period between Hershey's Nathan Walker & Lehigh Valley's Nick Cousins. After the 1st, the Phantoms had the 11-7 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the Bears could ask themselves "what if?" a lot about this period. At the 9:06 mark, the Bears would increase their lead to two. Mike Moore scored his 2nd of the season, from Travis Boyd & Madison Bowey. Hershey could have been leading by four or five by the time this period ended, but they hit the post three or four times. After the 2nd, the shots were tied at 15.

In the 3rd, the Phantoms would start to take over. It took a little bit, but with 8:38 left, they cut the lead in half. Petr Straka scored his 15th of the season, from Colin McDonald & Danick Martel. With 2:59 left in regulation, the Phantoms would tie it up. Danick Martel scored his 9th of the season (2nd point of night), from Taylor Leier & Samuel Morin. In the overtime period, the Phantoms continued to dominate, and it led to the game-winning goal. Nick Cousins scored his 7th of the season, from Taylor Leier (2nd assist of night). The Phantoms finished with the 31-20 shot advantage.

Next Game: Saturday vs. Binghamton, 7:00

Regular Season Game 23: Hershey Bears 4, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1 (12/6/15)

Box Score

Hershey (11-6-0-5) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (16-4-0-0)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Peters (5-3-3, 2.52) vs. Murray (10-3-0, 1.95)

1st Period

Scoring

10:23- HER Goal: Burgdoerfer (2), Sill & Walker

Penalties

0:10- WBS Penalty: Mouillierat for Holding (2:00)
6:14- HER Penalty: Bourque for Tripping (2:00)
11:16- WBS Penalty: Oleksy for Slashing (2:00)
19:47- HER Penalty: Carrick for Cross-Checking (2:00)

2nd Period

Scoring

12:34- HER Goal: Carrick (5), Collins & Bourque

Penalties

6:36- HER Penalty: Stephenson for Goaltender Interference (2:00)
15:33- WBS Penalty: Porter for Interference (2:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

17:53- WBS Goal: Erixon (2), Dea
18:54- HER Goal (EN): Walker (5), Collins & Sill
18:59- HER Goal (EN): Bourque (8), Stephenson

Penalties

1:35- HER Penalty: Stephenson for Holding (2:00)
10:54- HER Penalty: Carrick for Cross-Checking (2:00)

Shots

HER: 17-6-10=33

WBS: 9-6-8=23

Recap

The bear toss game is my favorite one of the season, and it didn't disappoint this year (new record 18,115 bears). The Bears continued their torrid shot pace from last night into the first period tonight, and this time it led to a goal much earlier (10:23 mark). Erik Burgdoerfer scored his 2nd of the season, from Zach Sill & Nathan Walker. After the 1st period, the Bears had the 17-9 shot advantage.

The 2nd period would be a much more even affair, as the teams had about the same number of chances. However, the Bears would get the 2-0 lead on a beautiful play. Connor Carrick scored his 5th of the season, from Sean Collins & Chris Bourque. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 23-15 shot advantage.

In the 3rd, the Bears' penalty kill would come up big with a couple power plays to deal with. However, Justin Peters wouldn't be able to stop every shot. With 2:07 left, the Penguins got it to within one. Tim Erixon scored his 2nd of the season, from Jean-Sebastien Dea. At the 1:06 mark, the Bears would put it out of reach. Nathan Walker scored his 5th of the season (2nd point of night), from Sean Collins & Zach Sill (both 2nd assists of night). 5 seconds later, the Bears would get another empty net goal. Chris Bourque scored his 8th of the season (2nd point of night), from Chandler Stephenson. The Bears finished with the 33-23 shot advantage.

Next Game: Wednesday at Lehigh Valley, 7:05

Regular Season Game 22: Hershey Bears 2, Lehigh Valley Phantoms 1 (12/5/15)

Box Score

Hershey (10-6-0-5) vs. Lehigh Valley (11-11-1-0)

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Ellis (5-3-2, 3.01) vs. Stolarz (9-4-1, 1.82)

1st Period
Scoring
14:57- LV Goal: Cousins (6), Morin & MacDonald

Penalties
1:55- LV Penalty: Cousins for Cross-Checking (2:00)
4:15- HER Penalty: Fyten for Tripping (2:00)
9:39- HER Penalty: Walker for Delay of Game (2:00)
19:24- HER Penalty: Bench Minor for Too Many Men (Served by Stephenson) (2:00)

2nd Period
Scoring

No Goals

Penalties

3:17- HER Penalty: Camper for Delay of Game (2:00)

8:12- LV Penalty: Brent for Fighting (5:00)

8:12- HER Penalty: Lewington for Fighting (5:00)

10:02- LV Penalty: Cousins for Holding (2:00)

10:39- HER Penalty: Carey for Slashing (2:00)

11:55- LV Penalty: Leier for Holding (2:00)

16:48- LV Penalty: Alderson for Slashing (2:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

10:23- HER Goal: Gazley (5), Carey & Camper

19:39- HER Goal: Bourque (7), Boyd & Stephenson

Penalties

15:11- LV Penalty: Morin for Hooking (2:00)

Shots

HER: 14-13-17=44

LV: 5-5-5=15

Recap

Anthony Stolarz is probably not too happy with his team right now. He finished with 42 saves, but it wasn't enough as the Bears were able to pull out the victory. From the puck drop, the Bears had complete control of this game. The shot differential was never close, but unfortunately for them, Stolarz showed up to play. With 5:13 left in the period, the Phantoms would get on the board first. Nick Cousins scored his 6th of the season, from Samuel Morin & Colin McDonald. After the 1st, the Bears had the 14-5 shot advantage.

The shots continued to come for the Bears in the 2nd, but the only big event was a fight between Lehigh Valley's Tim Brent & Hershey's Tyler Lewington. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 27-10 shot advantage. It would take until the 10:23 mark for a shot to finally get past Stolarz. Dustin Gazley scored his 5th of the season, from Paul Carey & Carter Camper. With 21 seconds left, the Bears would be able to get another one past him to take the 2-1 victory. Chris Bourque scored his 7th of the season, from Travis Boyd & Chandler Stephenson. The Bears finished with the 44-15 shot advantage.

Next Game: Tomorrow vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 5:00

Regular Season Game 21: Hartford Wolf Pack 4, Hershey Bears 3 (F/SO) (12/4/15)

Box Score

Hershey (10-6-0-4) at Hartford (8-11-2-0)

XL Center: Hartford, CT

Goalies: Peters (5-3-2, 2.49) vs. Skapski (1-4-0, 3.30)

1st Period

Scoring

1:24- HER Goal: Walker (4), Carrick & Sill

3:10- HFD Goal: Skjei (2), Nehring & Bourque

7:10- HFD Goal: Nehring (6), Brown & Summers

Penalties

8:49- HER Penalty: Carrick for Interference (2:00)

2nd Period

Scoring

7:30- HER Goal: Carrick (4), Djoos & Stephenson

17:18- HFD Goal: Tamasky (6), McCarthy

Penalties

2:54- HER Penalty: Bowey for Holding (2:00)

9:24- HFD Penalty: Gibbons for Interference (2:00)

13:04- HFD Penalty: Summers for Tripping (2:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

19:17- HER Goal (PPG): Stephenson (1), Carrick & Bourque

Penalties

0:40- HER Penalty: Bourque for Closing Hand on Puck (2:00)

3:28- HFD Penalty: Brown for Slashing (2:00)

8:16- HFD Penalty: Hughes for Kneeing (2:00)

19:00- HFD Penalty: Oleksuk for Delay of Game (2:00)

Overtime

Scoring

No Goals

Penalties

No Penalties

Shootout

1st Round: HER- Gazley (Goal), HFD- Gibbons (Goal)

2nd Round: HER- Bourque (No Goal), HFD- Tambellini (Goal)

3rd Round: HER- Carrick (No Goal)

Hartford wins shootout 2-1

Shots

HER: 10-9-14-3=36

HFD: 11-2-9-3=25

Recap

Once again, the shootout is the Bears' kryptonite. They are now 0-for-5 in shootouts. However, they did get a point in a game where it looked like they wouldn't. The Bears started off strong, as they scored 1:24 into the game. Nathan Walker scored his 4th of the season, from Connor Carrick & Zach Sill. However, the game would turn quickly in favor of the home team, as almost two minutes later, the Wolf Pack tied it. Brady Skjei scored his 2nd of the season, from Chad Nehring & Ryan Bourque. At the 7:10 mark, Hartford took the lead. Chad Nehring scored his 6th of the season (2nd point of night), from Tyler Brown & Chris Summers. After the 1st, the Wolf Pack had the 11-10 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, the Bears would have a large advantage in shots. That paid off at the 7:30 mark, as they would tie the game at two. Connor Carrick scored his 4th of the season, from Christian Djoos & Chandler Stephenson. With 2:48 left in the period, the Wolf Pack would get one of their two shots in the period past Justin Peters. Nick Tamasky scored his 6th of the season, from Chris McCarthy. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 19-13 shot advantage.

In the 3rd, the Bears didn't stop the shots. They had some good chances against Mackenzie Skapski, but it would take a power play with less than a minute left for the Bears to get their best chance. With 43 seconds left in regulation, the Bears would get the tying goal. Chandler Stephenson scored his 1st of the season, from Connor Carrick (3rd point/2nd assist of night) & Chris Bourque. In the overtime, the Wolf Pack would get a penalty shot. Jayson Megna, who has always scored big goals against the Bears, was stopped by Peters. Going into the shootout, the Bears finished with the 36-25 shot advantage. Dustin Gazley would start the Bears off right with a goal in the 1st round, but no Bears would score again. Both of Hartford's players scored, so they took the shootout 2-1.

Next Game: Tomorrow vs. Lehigh Valley, 7:00