AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Edge Phantoms, 2-1

February 2, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


(Hershey, PA) - Ilya Samsonov stopped 21 of 22 shots to help the Hershey Bears past the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 2-1 on Saturday night at Giant Center. The Bears went a sensational 4-for-4 on the penalty kill to preserve their late lead in the win. Hershey's current point streak extended to eight games (7-0-0-1) in the win.

Nathan Walker opened the scoring at 8:21 after burying a shot on an offensive transition. Aaron Ness received credit for his team-best 28th assist of the season on the play. Hershey out shot Lehigh Valley 12-5 in the opening stanza, but were unable to pad their lead before intermission.

Next period, Hershey doubled their lead to 2-0 courtesy of a fortunate bounce in the blue paint. Ryan Sproul caught Phantoms goaltender Branden Komm leaning off his left post, and Sproul sent a sharp-angle shot towards the net, which banked off Komm and across the goal line at 3:23.

Nearly five minute later, Lehigh Valley cut their deficit in half courtesy of a fortunate break of their own. After a hit on Mike Sgarbossa was deemed clean in the Bears offensive end, played continued and Carsen Twarynski scored on the counter attack in a 3-on-1 rush at 8:19. Shots after 40 minutes were 24-12 Bears.

With tensions running high, the Bears successfully clung to their 2-1 lead throughout the remainder of regulation. Lehigh Valley received a 5-on-3 power play for 1:23 with 2:28 remaining, but the Bears answered with a dramatic, game-winning penalty kill. The Bears went 0-for-5 on the man-advantage to extend their power play drought against the Phantoms to 0-for-31 on the season. Hershey's 2-1 win improved their record in the season series to 4-4-0-1, and have earned points in four straight meetings against the Orange and Black.

The Hershey Bears return to action tomorrow, Feb. 3 with a 2 p.m. tilt against the Belleville Senators at Giant Center. Ticket information is available online at HersheyBears.com.

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