The Bears returned to action Saturday night for a rematch against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Bears battled back from 1-0, 3-1 and 4-2 deficits last night, but ultimately fell 5-4.
Head Coach Derek King remarked postgame that he was happy with the battle his players showed, especially with the Bears down to 10 forwards for much of the last half of the game after Luke Toporowski left the game early in the first period, and then Dalton Smith left after taking a high hit in the second period. Henrik Rybinski also was hit high late in the third period and did not play the end of the game.
So with three injuries last night, Ivan Miroshnichenko out with an injury and Sheldon Rempal’s release, Bear Nation will be happy to see the return of Ethen Frank tonight. Frank was loaned back to Hershey by the Washington before the game, providing a much needed boost.
Multiple changes from last night, mainly in the forward group. As expected Toporowski, Smith and Rybinski have all been added to the injured list, all with upper body injuries. In terms of the changes, Graeme Clarke returns to the second line, with Ethen Frank joining Eriks Mateiko and Spencer Smallman on the first line. Replacing Patrick Thomas, Alex Suzdalev makes his season debut on the second line. Matt Strome replaces Henrick Rybinski on the third line, while Justin Nachbaur and Grant Cruikshank take the open spots on the fourth line.
Only one change on the back end for the Bears tonight as Jon McDonald comes in for Ryan Chesley. Chesley has struggled the last two games, putting up a -3 and -2 respectively. Every young player goes through their ups and downs and needs a rest sometimes. For Chelsey, tonight was that for him. Hershey also made a change in net, Garin Bjorklund getting the start in net over Clay Stevenson. It was Bjorklund’s first start since October 12 against Syracuse.
Postgame Takeaways
- Hershey fell behind early again- some early pressure from the Phantoms saw Carl Grundstrom get his first of the season.
- The Bears would battle back in the first though. First through a lovely finish on a two-on-one by Bogdan Trineyev would tie the game and then Andrew Cristall would get his first as a Bear on the power play to put the Bears up 2-1 after one.
- Huge game for Cristall tonight. He added an assist to go along with his goal and played arguably his best all round game of the season.
- The power play came alive this weekend for Hershey. After starting the season 0/10 on the power play through the first four games, Hershey went 3/8 this weekend. Coach King and co. will hope that momentum continues through the rest of the season.
- Also- shoutout to Alex Suzdalev for getting his first career AHL point as the main assist on the Cristall goal.
- Hershey also got their taste of the usual Lehigh Valley physicality this weekend. We know the Phantoms like to toe the line when it comes to throwing the body, and Ilya Protas got the worst of it tonight. He had Bear Nation holding their breath when he went off injured late in the first.
- But the younger Protas pushed through. Ilya I think has been the best rookie for the Bears so far this season, and he will continue to be an important cog in this Bears machine.
- Lehigh Valley retook the lead in the second, but Hershey didn’t keep their heads down and kept pushing. After Garrett Wilson made it 3-2 in the second, Hershey seemed to flip the game on its head and had the majority of good chances for the remainder of the game.
- It is nice to have Spencer Smallman back. Goals in both games this weekend for the Bears top line centerman, as he tied the game at three tonight. He’s got three points in four games since missing opening weekend.
- No points for Ethen Frank in his return to Hershey, but his presence was notable. The ice felt more open for Hershey when he was out there as Lehigh focused on his speed and shot.
- Garin Bjorklund looked sharp in his return to game action for the first time since October 12 against Syracuse. Bjorklund stopped 23 of 26 shots and made all three saves in the shootout to get the Bears both points.
- The Bears didn’t convert in OT, but they had the Phantoms on their heels. Bears outshot Lehigh 4-1 in the extra period, and had the best looks.
- It felt poetic to see Ilya Protas get the only shootout goal. He looked down and out, but he came back and battled. These look to be some Battlin’ Bears, and this young group never seems to be out of a game.
- It was a heck of a move for Protas to beat Phantoms starter Carson Bjarnason in the shootout. You can watch the video we took of his goal below.
The Chocolate Roar 