photo: Twitter/Rochester American
The Hershey Bears defeated the Rochester Americans, 2-0, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals Thursday night at the Giant Center in Hershey. With the win, the Bears would even a best-of-seven series at one game apiece.
After the first pointless shot, Henrik Borgstrom Late unblocking of the middle frame and Beck Mallenstein He added his third goal of the postseason with 32 seconds left in the second period to give the Bears a 2-0 lead going into the second period. The third period will go without goals.
Hunter Shepard He stopped all 24 shots he faced and was named the game’s first superstar.
Lined up
Hunter Shepard (6-2-0, 2.14 GAA, .918 sv%) gets the start between the pipes for the Bears. Malcolm Subban (7-2-0, 2.83 GAA, . 913 sv%) Earned the start in goal for the visiting Americans. Bears front lines and defensive pairs:
Mike Veccione – Henrik Borgstrom – Ethene Frank
Joe Sinville – Connor McMichael – Garrett Bailon
Alexi Brotas – Hendrix Lapierre – Sam Anas
Beck Mallenstein – Riley Sutter – Mason Morelli
Gabriel Carlson – Dylan McElrath
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Lukas Johansen – Vinny Yorio
Hunter Shepard
Zack Focale
scratchesMike Sgarbosa (injury), Shane Gersic, Bobby Nardella, Henrik Rybinski, Matt Strom, Jake Massi, Julian Napravnik, Bogdan Treniev, Ludwig Pearson, Drew Krebs, Aleksandr Suzdalev.
The first period
The Bears and Americans skated a scoreless first half, tied 10-10. Rochester had more high risk opportunities.
netminder bears Hunter Shepard, who was pulled before midway through the first half of the game after giving up four goals on 16 shots, got back to form from the start of game two. He made several key saves, keeping Rochester off the scoreboard.
Yes, @employee We see you. pic.twitter.com/rGtb3WYrfm
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 25, 2023
Both teams were 0 to 1 on power play in the first 20 minutes.
The second period
The Bears finally broke the deadlock late in the second half. Henrik Borgstrom (2) They hit the tally of power play, sniping from the right side at 16:05 of the middle frame, giving the Bears their first lead of the series. Conor McMichael (2 f Mason Morelli (2) He had assistants.
Porgy is tearing it up 🧀 to break the ice!
^ McMichael
🍏 Morelli pic.twitter.com/f5y9exfqHP– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023
The Bears extended their lead to 2-0 with a late goal Beck Mallenstein (3) At 19:29 of the period. Riley Souter (2 f Mason Morelli (3) He got help.
Short side snipe of Beck!
🍎 Sutter
🍏 Morelli pic.twitter.com/DOq3VOO0CX– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023
Hunter Shepard He continued his strong play at quarterback, keeping America off the scoreboard.
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 26, 2023
The second half concluded with the Bears winning, 2-0. The shots tied at 7-7 in the second half and 17-17 after two periods of play. Hershey was 1-for-3 and Rochester 0-for-1 on the power play after two periods.
Third period
The Bears and Americas skated to a scoreless tie in the final frame, as the Bears toughened defense and held on for a 2-0 win, tying the series at one game apiece.
Games Three and Four move to Rochester on Saturday and Monday.
Carpentry
- AHL Box Points
- Attendance: 8,389
- Rochester led on shots, 24-21.
- Hershey was 1-for-3 and Rochester 0-for-2 on the power play.
- Hunter Shepard stopped all 24 snaps he faced in his first postseason shutout.
- The game stars: 1) Hunter Sheepcard, 2) Beck Mallenstein and 3) Mason Morelli.
date
- The last time the Bears were locked out in Rochester was on February 22, 2002 in Rochester.
- The last time the Bears were stopped in Rochester was in Hershey on February 8, 1986. Ron Heckstall was the Bears’ quarterback.