the Coachella Valley Firebirds The Hershey Bears slapped, 4-0 in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals Saturday night at Accresor Arena In Palm Desert, California. With the win, the Firebirds eliminated the Bears 9-0 in the first two games of the series and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The bears seemed well rested at the start of this. They outscored the Firebirds 15-5 in the first period and hit three tubes in the process, but were unable to bend the strings because the first period was scoreless. Unfortunately, the missed opportunities will be costly for the bears.
The Firebirds were awarded a penalty early in the middle frame, but Hunter Shepard managed to close the door. Unfortunately, the Firebirds would follow up the missed penalty opportunity with two quick stats to take a 2-0 lead early in the second period. They would add two more in the second half of the second period for a 4-0 lead going into the second intermission. The final frame will go without points.
Lined up
Hunter Shepard (10-4, 2.09 GAA, .920 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the visiting Bears. Joey Dacord (13-7, 2.26 GAA, .927 sv%) Got the start in goal for the Firebirds. 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
Aaron Ness – Logan Day
Gabriel Carlson – Dylan McElrath
Lukas Johansen – Vincent Yorio
Hunter Shepard
Zack Focale
scratchesMike Sgarbosa (injury), Bobby Nardella, Jake Massey, Shane Jersic, Henrik Rybinski, Matt Strom, Julian Napravnik, Bogdan Treniev, Ludwig Pearson, Drew Krebs, Aleksandr Suzdalev.
The first period
The Bears held an early advantage in offensive timing, and took a shooting lead, 7-1, in the first eight minutes of the contest.
It was a penalty shootout celebration in the first frame. The Bears were honored with their first power play of the game early in the first period but were unable to convert.
The Firebirds went to their first power play two minutes later but were also unable to convert. The Firebird then got back into the power play with 9:30 remaining in the opening segment, but the Bears’ penalty killing unit was once again up to the task.
Just as the Firebirds’ second power play ended, Ethen Frank fumbled a 1-on-4 rush, giving the Bears the second-man advantage, but they couldn’t do any damage.
The Firebirds were given a third power play of the period with less than five minutes left in the period, but the Bears penalty kill took care of the business again.
The first period ended without points. The Bears led in shots 15-5 and hit three tubes. The Firebirds were 0 for 3 and the Bears 0 for 2 on the power play in the first period.
The second period
The Firebirds were awarded a penalty kick early in the second half, but Hunter Shepard managed to shut the door.
CV awarded a penalty but Chip Daddy says no! 0-0. # the capper #HBH pic.twitter.com/csChwjnNC0
– Capitals Horizons (@jon_m_sorensen) June 11, 2023
Unfortunately, Coachella Valley followed up the missed penalty opportunity with two quick goals. Jesper Freudin (4) Notched his first power play tally of the game at 9:08, with Cameron Hughes (18) and Alexander is correct (11) Provide helpers.
frodes gets us on the board🔥 pic.twitter.com/cevpmMIhHK
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 11, 2023
The Firebirds quickly made it 2-0 after less than 90 seconds. Austin Bagansky (1) Recorded at 6:22 with help from Shane Wright (5) f Ricker Evans (17).
Lead birds 2-0🔥🚨 pic.twitter.com/VpqkxgxbsC
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 11, 2023
The Firebirds made it 3-0 with just over eight minutes remaining in the second period. Ricker Evans (4) He added the third goal of the Firebird at 11:55 in the second clip. Max McCormick (12) and Andrew Poturalsky (6) He had assistants.
We are leading 3-0!!! pic.twitter.com/zlUyicHVBh
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 11, 2023
The Firebirds added a fourth goal of the period and it was way to go. Cameron Hughes (1) Achieved the power play score 18:37.
And joy with the helper!!!!
Birds lead 4-0 pic.twitter.com/7UtI8NreSA
– x – Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) June 11, 2023
Fortunately, that was in the second period. Coachella Valley led in shooting 13-8 in the second half with the Bears leading 23-18 after two periods. The Firebirds were 2 for 8 and the Bears 0 for 3 on the power play after 40 minutes of play.
Third period
The final frame featured a lot of defense by the Firebirds, packing their area and making it difficult for the Bears to generate much on offense. As a result, there were no goals in the final frame.
The third match will take place on Tuesday in Hershey. Puck Drop is set to 7 p.m.
Carpentry
- AHL Box Points
- Attendance: 10,087
- Hershey took the shots, 33-23.
- Mason Morelli led all Bears in putouts with 6.
- The Bears won 9-0 in the first two games of the series.
- The Firebirds were 2-for-9 and the Bears were 0-for-3 on the power play.
- Joey Daccord posts his second consecutive shutout, and third of the postseason.
- Dacor is the first goaltender to start a Calder Cup Finals series with back-to-back shutouts since Mo Roberts of the Cleveland Barons in 1939.