Bears Open Eastern Conference Finals with 5-1 Loss
Published on May 23, 2023 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release
(Hershey, PA)-The Hershey Bears (6-2) opened the Eastern Conference Finals with a 5-1 loss to the Rochester Americans (7-2) in Game 1 on Tuesday night at GIANT Center.
Rochester struck early when Joseph Cecconi beat Hunter Shepard with a wrister on the first shot of the contest to give the Americans a 1-0 lead just 14 seconds into the first period.
Rochester made it 2-0 at 9:04 when Brett Murray crashed the net and jammed a cross-crease pass from Michael Mersch past Sheppard.
Matt Bartkowski's drive from the left point 1:42 into the second period put Rochester ahead, 3-0.
Mason Jobst flew up the left side and beat Shepard at 6:33 to spell the end of Shepard's night, as Zach Fucale took over in net.
Aaron Ness, who had missed the previous four games for Hershey with an injury, got the Bears on the board when he scored at 9:42 of the third period on a back-door play for his first of the postseason, and his first career playoff goal.
The Bears pulled Fucale for an extra skater with under four minutes left in regulation, but the Americans spoiled Hershey's bid for a comeback with an empty-net goal from Lukas Rousek at 18:59.
Shots finished 23-22 in favor of the Americans. Shepard went 12-for-16 in the loss for the Bears (the first time this postseason that he had surrendered more than two goals), while Fucale went 6-for-6 in relief; Malcom Subban went 21-for-22 to get the win for the Americans. Hershey was 0-for-2 on the power play while Rochester went 0-for-1.
American Hockey League Stories from May 23, 2023
- Amerks Cruise to 5-1 Win in Series Opener Over Bears - Rochester Americans
- Bears Open Eastern Conference Finals with 5-1 Loss - Hershey Bears
- Flames Name Craig Conroy General Manager - Calgary Wranglers
- Stars Reassign Barteaux and Poirier to Idaho - Texas Stars
- Thunderbirds Sign F Sam Bitten - Springfield Thunderbirds
- CV Firebirds vs. Milwaukee Admirals Playoff Preview - Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Laberge Returns to Comets in 2023-24 Season - Utica Comets
- Tucson Junior Roadrunners to Host Fundraiser at Hooters Thursday - Tucson Roadrunners
- Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 Preview: Bears vs. Americans, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
