On another Hockey Night in Chocolatetown, the Bears took on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in their return to the Giant Center after a couple of weekends on the road.

The biggest news of the week was the return of Alex Alexeyev, who Washington sent down on a conditioning loan. A conditioning loan does not require waivers, but Alexeyev can only stay for the next 14 days before returning to Washington.

Alexeyev would be slotted straight into the lineup, pairing with Ethan Bear. Clay Stevenson got the start in net for Hershey, while Tristan Jarry got the start for the Baby Pens.

First Period

The first had a slow start- both teams combined for one shot through the first 6:30 of the period, with that single shot belonging to Hershey. It was a period of what-ifs though for the Bears. First, a Mike Vecchione shot beats Tristan Jarry, but Jarry got just enough of the puck to slow it down and it was cleared off the line. Just a minute later, with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the power play, Rutger McGroarty put one home from the slot to make it 1-0 Penguins.

Then, with just under three minutes to go in the first, Ivan Miroshnichenko would hit the post, barely missing out on tying the game. Once again, it would only be a minute later where Wilkes-Barre/Scranton would extend their lead, this time through Valtteri Puustinen, who was left alone in front on a broken play and made no mistake to make it 2-0 in favor of the visitors.

That is how the period would end, with the Bears looking to get back in the game during the second.

Second Period

Both teams traded power play opportunities that were not successful to start the second, with both the Bears and the Penguins penalty kills holding strong. However, it would be Wilkes-Barre/Scranton who would strike first in the second. Ville Koivunen would snipe one past Clay Stevenson on the blocker side, and extend their lead to 3-0 over the Bears.

Hershey would finally break through with just under 5 minutes to go in the second. A great forecheck from Alex Limoges would lead to him winning a board battle and getting the puck to Ivan Miroshnichenko in front of the net, and Miro made no mistake to cut the Penguins lead to 3-1.

Hershey would get a late power play opportunity, with Jack St. Ivany called for a hook and head into the third period with 1:49 of power play time.

Third Period and Overtime

With that 1:49 of power play time, the Bears were unable to capitalize on that extended chance to cut into the Penguins lead. However, Hershey would keep pushing and pushing, and finally would break through. Mike Vecchione tipped home a Alex Alexeyev point shot, and it was game on from there.

The Bears forecheck became relentless after that moment, and the Giant Center came back to life after the visitors had successfully quieted it for two periods. Then the tying goal game. Another tip play, this time Ivan Miroshnichenko getting his second of the evening, with a beautiful deflection of Ethan Bear’s shot from the point to tie the game at three.

As it’s been all season for the Bears though, they did not make it easy. Just ten seconds after tying the game, a defensive breakdown let Valtteri Puustinen in all alone on Clay Stevenson, and he made no mistake as the Penguins retook the lead to make it 4-3.

The Bears would strike back fast this time, with Pierrick Dube getting in on the action, putting a wicked wrister past Tristan Jarry (one that admittedly Jarry should have had), to tie the game at four.

The Bears would continue their relentless forecheck for the rest of the period, but would be unable to break the tie as we headed to overtime.

The Bears would have the better of the opportunities in the extra period as well. Though the play of the game was made by Alexeyev, as he expertly broke up a two-on-one chance for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, perfectly timing a diving poke check to break up the play. Moments later, Pierrick Dube would lead a two-on-one of his own, and bury the chance himself past Jarry and get the Bears all two points, as they win this one 5-4.

Post Game Quotable

“It’s very important. I look at those guys to provide offense with their force. A lot can happen, I don’t know what Washington’s plans are for the trade deadline, those guys could be called up. But when they’re here they provide offense for us and we need those guys scoring big goals for us.” – Head Coach Todd Nelson on Ivan Miroshnichenko’s and Pierrick Dube’s two goal performances tonight.

“It felt good. First period, first ten minutes maybe a little off. But I got used to it, and like you said I didn’t play for five months so it felt good.” – Alex Alexeyev on his return to live game action for the first time since November after being sent down on a conditioning loan from the Washington Capitals.