Photo: Charlotte Checkers
The Hershey Bears defeated the Charlotte Checkers, 5-1 Saturday night at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The win gives the Bears an overwhelming 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series with the Checkers.
After the first pointless shot, Joe Snelly Opened the scoring in the second half with a goal of playing power and Mason Morelli He added a late score to put the Bears up 2-0 in the second period.
Checkers cut the Bears’ lead to 2-1 midway through the third period but the Bears would quickly answer with goals from themselves Conor McMichael And Anas himself to make it 4-1. Jarrett Bailon He added an empty net goal to make it 5-1, the final.
Lined up
Hunter Shepard (1-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .917 sv%) earned the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. GF Berube (1-0-0, 0.47 GAA, . 982 sv%) earned the start in goal for the Checkers. Bears front lines and defensive pairs:
Mike Vecchione – Mike Sgarbosa – 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 – Vincent Yorio
Hunter Shepard
Zack Focale
scratches: Shane Gersh, Henrik Borgstrom, Henrik Rybinski, Matt Strom, Bobby Nardella, Bogdan Treniev, Julian Napravnik, Jake Massey, Ludwig Pearson, Drew Krebs, Alexander Suzdalev and Garin Bjorklund.
The first period
Careful play highlighted the first 20 minutes of Game 2 as both teams did a good job of thwarting entry into the zone, blocking mid-ice and reducing sustained zone time by the opposition.
The Bears were given their first power play of the game with just over six minutes left in the period, but they couldn’t generate much in the way of decent scoring chances.
The Checkers went to the power play right after the Bears’ initial power play expired on a highly questionable call on Aaron Ness.
Aaron Ness called for stumbling on this play. It looked like solid defensive play by Nesser. # the capper #HBH pic.twitter.com/8tQhb3eXTs
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) April 29, 2023
Regardless, the Bears penalty kick was up to the task and he did a good job of taking Checkers out of the man advantage, keeping the score 0-0.
The first period ended with no score in the first 20 minutes. Charlotte led on the shots 6-3. Both sides were 0 to 1 in the power play.
The second period
The second period began in much the same fashion as the first, with both teams continuing to jam the middlecourt and blocking zone entries. The Bears did not break the 10-shot mark until the end of the period.
However, it was the Bears who finally broke the silence with a power play goal from Joe Snelly At 6:46 of the second period. Jarrett Bailon (2 f Alexi Brutas (1) He had helpers.
Joe Snipely Strikes! Joe Sniffly gives the Bears a 1-0 lead midway through the middle frame. #HBH # the capper pic.twitter.com/BLXy2AD5n6
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) April 29, 2023
The Bears made it 2-0 in the tally Mason Morelli At 14:55 of the second period. Center Riley Sutter made a nice pass to the quarterback to set up the score. It was Sauter’s first post-season point.
Defense➡Offense, and Mo got their first tally in the Calder Cup Playoffs!
🍎 Sutter pic.twitter.com/MpuAKF8elu
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 29, 2023
The second half concluded with the Bears leading 2-0. Charlotte led in shooting 11-7 in the second half and 17-10 after two periods.
Third period
Bears advance checkers pieces halfway through the final frame. Ryan McAllister (1) Checkers made its first score at 9:15 of the final frame. Riley Nash (2 f Lucas Carlson (3) He got help.
First pro playoff goal! pic.twitter.com/8ySa1mfMC0
– Charlotte Checkers (CheckersHockey) April 30, 2023
But the bears will answer quickly. Conor McMichael He scored his second goal in as many matches to make it 3-1 at 9:50 of the final frame. Jarrett Bailon (3) He delivered a lovely feed and McMichael finished with a neat back in the crease. Joe Snelly (1) He got the second help.
Conor McMichael with a lovely assistant! It is his second goal in as many matches. Gentle nourishment by exfoliation to prepare the result. #HBH # the capper pic.twitter.com/IvABWFRouS
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) April 30, 2023
The Bears made it 4-1 with a goal from Anas himself After only 23 seconds. Alexi Brutas (2) He has the only help.
Pru digs it up and baits Sammy on top! pic.twitter.com/3ZnJsMqbf8
– Hershey’s Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 30, 2023
The Checkers pulled the goalkeeper with just over five minutes remaining, however Jarrett Bailon He added an empty net goal to make it 5-1, the final.
The third game of the series will take place on Wednesday in Hershey. The Bears can clinch a best-of-five series with a win.
Carpentry
- AHL Box Points
- Attendance: 5,533
- Charlotte led in shooting, 20-16.
- Jarrett Bellon earned 3 points (1g, 2a)
- Hunter Shepard has stopped 19 of 20 for a 0.950 game save percentage.
- The game stars: 1) Joe Snively, 2) Garrett Pillon and 3) Hunter Shepard.
- Hunter Shepard stopped 41 of 44 in consecutive starts with a 0.932 save percentage in Charlotte.