Atlantic Division Semifinal Game 5: Hershey Bears 2, Portland Pirates 1 (Hershey wins 3-2) (5/1/16)

Box Score

(A1) Hershey vs. (A4) Portland

Giant Center: Hershey, PA

Goalies: Peters (2-0-1, 0.81) vs. McKenna (2-2-0, 2.15)

1st Period

Scoring

14:19- HER Goal: Collins (1), O'Brien

Penalties

16:00- POR Penalty: Megan for Goaltender Interference (2:00)

2nd Period

Scoring

9:29- HER Goal: Stanton (2), Vrana & R. Bourque

Penalties

0:40- POR Penalty: Acolatse for Cross-Checking (2:00)
9:58- HER Penalty: Barber for Tripping (2:00)
10:21- POR Penalty: Rau for Boarding (2:00)
13:19- POR Penalty: Megan for High-Sticking (2:00)
18:30- HER Penalty: Bench Minor for Too Many Men (Served by Vrana) (2:00)

3rd Period

Scoring

2:51- POR Goal: Simpson (1), Matheson & Grimaldi

Penalties

No Penalties

Shots

HER: 9-11-
POR: 7-10-

Recap

What a hard-fought series. It took the full number of games, but the Bears are moving on! Justin Peters has gone from a goalie who struggled all season to a goalie who wants to show that he can still play really well. In the 1st, each team would have some good chances, but it would be the Bears who would take advantage of theirs and take the early lead (14:19 mark). Sean Collins scored his 1st of the playoffs, from Liam O'Brien. After the 1st, Hershey had the 9-7 shot advantage.

In the 2nd, there would be a few more penalties that would give the power play units some chances. However, both penalty kill units and goalies would stand strong. However, the goal of the period would come on even strength, and it would give the Bears the insurance they needed. Ryan Stanton scored his 2nd of the playoffs, from Jakub Vrana & Ryan Bourque. After the 2nd, the Bears had the 20-17 shot advantage.

The 3rd period would make the game really tense, as Portland was desperate to get those two goals. They would get one back early in the period to make it 2-1. Wayne Simpson scored his 1st of the playoffs, from Michael Matheson & Rocco Grimaldi. Portland would continue to have chances, but most of the shots would be nowhere near the net. Justin Peters finished with a strong 23-save performance (Portland had the 24-23 shot advantage).

Next Game (Game 1): TBA vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Note: Either tomorrow or Tuesday, I will be posting the recap of the 1st round, along with the schedule for the 2nd round.