Bears Hold off Thunderbirds, 3-2
November 10, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
(Hershey, PA) - The Hershey Bears opened their six-game season series against the Springfield Thunderbirds at Giant Center and edged Springfield, 3-2, on Saturday night. Nathan Walker scored in his first game back with the Bears this season.
The Chocolate and White returned home for the first time in six days, and special teams made an immediate impact. Hershey entered the night 0-for-23 on the power play at home, and were the only team in the AHL without a single power play tally on home ice. Only 6:46 into the contest, Jayson Megna changed the Bears fortunes on the man-advantage. After Harry Zolnierczyk was whistled for slashing, Megna raced down the right wing and elevated a shot past Springfield goaltender Samuel Montembeault to give Hershey a 1-0 advantage.
The Bears doubled their lead to 2-0 on another first period power play strike. After a Riley Barber shot from the right point, Walker potted the rebound in the low-slot for his first goal of the season at 12:13. Garrett Pilon was originally credited with the goal before being changed to Walker.
Both the Bears and Thunderbirds traded chances late in the opening period, and Springfield cut Hershey's lead in half on a goal off the transition. Shortly after Megna rang the cross-bar in his bid for a second goal, Jayce Hawryluk bombed a slapper past Bears goaltender Ilya Samsonov at 14:17. Shots on goal were 8-5 Thunderbirds with the Bears leading 2-1.
After a scoreless second period, Hershey carried their slim 2-1 margin into the third frame. Opening the period on a 5-on-3 power play, the Bears successfully cashed in for their third power play goal of the night. Barber blasted a shot from the point into the cage at :24 to reopen a two goal cushion. The T-Birds again pulled within one goal midway through the third period. After Joel Lowry was stopped by Samsonov on a semi-breakaway, Thomas Schemitsch slid a loose puck into an open net. Despite a vacated Springfield net for the extra attacker, the Bears successfully hung on for a 302 victory.
The win improved the Bears record to .500 at 7-7-0-1 on the season. Final shots on goal were 33-17 Thunderbirds, and the Bears finished the night 3-for-6 on the man-advantage.
The Hershey Bears close out their weekend tomorrow night with a 5 p.m. tilt on the road against the Syracuse Crunch. Voice of the Bears Zack Fisch will have the call on the Bears radio network.
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