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Hershey Bears

Peluso, Gustafsson Lead Bears to 3-2 Comeback Win

March 16, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


(Hershey, PA)- Anthony Peluso scored his first game-winning goal since 2012, and Hampus Gustafssson had two points as the Hershey Bears earned a 3-2 comeback victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday night at Giant Center. The Bears bounced back after being shutout two consecutive games by earning their first win over the Sound Tigers this season.

After a scoreless first period, the visitors hit pay-dirt in the middle stanza. Casey Bailey scored his fifth power play goal of the season for the Sound Tigers. The forward accepted a pass from Josh Ho-Sang and snapped a shot off the crossbar and past Hershey netminder Pheonix Copley to make it 1-0 Bridgeport at 8:03 of the second period.

Hershey evened the score at 15:49, breaking a lengthy shutout streak that spanned over two and a half games. Gustafsson scored his first American Hockey League goal, getting the puck from Zach Sill, and wrapping a shot through the five-hold of Bridgeport goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis.

Less than a minute later at 16:45, Bridgeport retook the lead as Ho-Sang outmuscled Hershey's Lucas Johansen for a loose puck, and cut around Copley on a partial break for his seventh goal of the season to make it 2-1 Bridgeport.

For only the fourth time this season when trailing after the second period, Hershey rallied, earning a comeback win. Liam O'Brien tied the game for the Chocolate and White at 3:26 of the third period, deflecting a Madison Bowey shot past Gudlevskis to make it 2-2. Wayne Simpson also assisted.

The game-winning marker came at 15:18. Gustafsson earned his first career multi-point game, feeding Peluso on the right wing. The forward snapped a perfectly placed shot inside the far post to give Hershey a lead they would not relinquish. For Peluso, the goal was his first AHL game-winning tally since Nov. 14, 2012 when he struck for the winner for the Peoria Rivermen at Rockford.

The Sound Tigers outshot Hershey, 28-26. Hershey went 0-for-3 on the power play while Bridgeport was 1-for-5.

Hershey returns to the Giant Center tomorrow evening to host the Springfield Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. The club will be wearing special St. Patrick's Day jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Also, it's Ames Janitorial Services Rally Towel Night, featuring a green rally towel giveaway for the first 8,000 fans. Ticket information is available at HersheyBears.com.

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