Phantoms Comeback Late to Down Hershey 3-2

January 30, 2022 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release

(Hershey, PA) - Mike Vecchione continued his scoring touch, but the Hershey Bears dropped a 3-2 decision against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Sunday evening at the PPL Center. Hershey's record shifts to 21-13-3-2 after claiming a weekend split.

Cal O'Reilly opened the scoring with his first of two shorthanded goals against the Chocolate and White. After a defensive zone turnover, O'Reilly potted his chance from point-blank range following a setup from Charlie Gerard. Shots after 20 minutes were 11-7 Phantoms with Lehigh Valley leading at intermission.

Mike Vecchione, Saturday's overtime hero, brought the Bears even late in the second frame. On the power play, Vecchione wired a shot past Phantoms goaltender Felix Sandstrom at 17:56. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Lucas Johansen recorded the assists. Shots after 40 minutes were even at 18-18.

The Bears led early in the 3rd period on Vecchione's second of the night, but Lehigh Valley roared back. At 6:45, Vecchione redirected a point shot from Johansen into the cage. Brian Pinho earned the secondary assist.

Lehigh Valley tied the game on O'Reilly's second shorthanded goal of the night at 12:14. Winning a race to the loose puck, O'Reilly roofed a forehand-backhand try past Hershey goaltender Zach Fucale. Linus Sandin scored the eventual game-winner at 14:26 on a rebound attempt to provide the Phantoms a 3-2 edge. Final shots on goal totaled 28-22 Hershey. The Bears finished 1-for-5 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

The Chocolate and White return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 2 against the Hartford Wolf Pack at GIANT Center. All fans will receive a Hersheypark Ticket, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2022. Ticket information is available online at HersheyBears.com.

American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2022

• Captain Cal's Shorties Drive Exciting Comeback - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Phantoms Comeback Late to Down Hershey 3-2 - Hershey Bears
• Monsters Outshoot Comets in 3-2 Loss - Cleveland Monsters
• Comets Hold off Monsters, Win 3-2 - Utica Comets
• Canucks Sign Harsch to PTO - Abbotsford Canucks
• Moose Rebound to Top Abbotsford Canucks - Manitoba Moose
• Canucks Lose 5-3 against Manitoba - Abbotsford Canucks
• Heat's Valimaki Suspended for Three Games - AHL
• Panthers Recall Spencer Knight to Taxi Squad - Charlotte Checkers
• Kalynuk Recalled to Blackhawks - Rockford IceHogs
• Former IceHogs Head Coach Jeremy Colliton Takes over as Head Coach for Canada Ahead of Olympics - Rockford IceHogs
• Bears Add Tariq Hammond on Professional Tryout - Hershey Bears
• Game Preview: Bears at Phantoms, 5:05 p.m. - Hershey Bears
• Rallying Roadrunners Overcome Late Two-Goal Deficit For 3-2 Overtime Victory - Tucson Roadrunners
• Quick Start Enough for Heat to Top Reign - Ontario Reign
• Point Streak Reaches 12 in 4-0 Blanking of Silver Knights - Colorado Eagles
• Henderson Shutout by Colorado, 4-0 - Henderson Silver Knights

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.

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