Joe Szymanski

Szymanski: Bears Take Third Straight, Cruikshank Shorty Powers Hershey Past Cleveland 3-2

Photo Credit: Hershey Bears Hockey

Coming off a weekend sweep of the IceHogs, Hershey comes into this weekend looking to build off their momentum and win their third straight.

Two changes up front and one change on the back end for the Bears. With Brett Leason in Washington, Matt Strome takes his place on the second line, while Zac Funk took Strome’s spot on the fourth line. Dalton Smith also drew in for Sam Bitten, who was out with an upper body injury.

On defense, Corey Schueneman returned to the lineup, replacing Jon McDonald. Clay Stevenson once again got the start in net.

Postgame Takeaways

  • Not the best first four minutes for the Bears. As Coach King said postgame, too many neutral zone turnovers cost the Bears, and Cleveland would strike on a chaotic goal via Tate Singleton.
  • I thought it was a really excellent response from Hershey afterwards. Hershey dominated much of the five on five play throughout the game.
  • Hershey was also getting a ton of shots towards Ivan Fedotov, and sometimes you have to make your own luck. The Bears sure did when a Louie Belpedio shot tipped off a Monster stick and in to tie the game at one.
  • Belpedio has been red hot offensively over the last five games. He’s got a point in four of his last five games, with three goals across those games as well. He’s really stepped up offensively since Calle Rosen was traded earlier in the season.
  • Really physical hockey game tonight. It hasn’t happened a lot this year, but the Bears outmuscled the Monsters for most of the night and set the tone. Great to see from this young team.
  • Ivan Miroshnichenko’s been hot the last couple games, with a point in five of his last seven. His beauty of a backhand pass found Bogdan Trineyev, who put home Hershey’s second.
  • The game would only continue to get more physical. Six penalties were called in the third period, which included two sets of four on four time.
  • There were three sets of four on four play tonight, which is the most I have seen in one game in a while.
  • Cleveland would be the team to take advantage of the penalty bonanza. A failed clear by Matt Strome would see Luca Del Bel Belluz put home a goal on the power play to tie the game.
  • It would be the Bears whose special teams would get the last laugh. Grant Cruikshank would pot Hershey’s 6th shorthanded goal of the season to secure the win for Hershey, after a… let’s call it questionable call against Andrew Cristall put Hershey down a man.
  • That was Cruikshank’s second shorthanded goal of the season. He’s been a crucial part of the PK this year and is a major reason why the Bears rank 6th in the AHL for PK percentage.
  • Hershey did an excellent job closing out this game. The Bears had the majority of puck possession during a four on four session that started with 3:08 left in the game, and were able to control the last minutes to secure the win.
  • The rematch tomorrow will be interesting, especially with how physical this game got late. Can’t wait.

Postgame Thoughts

Comments from Coach King: https://youtu.be/smQ4hByRvn4?si=8axaMXzuuDkXzwOP

Comments from Grant Cruikshank: https://youtu.be/GimyLOcJ59c?si=MkawLDTdnf3ZP3Wx

Comments from Andrew Cristall: https://youtu.be/Sx5fvXyI7nM?si=S9f3EWZCusUcL0d1

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