Before headed into their break, Hershey took on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the eighth matchup between the two rivals this year. Hershey was 1-5-1 against the Penguins coming into the night, and were looking to finally get one back against the Baby Pens this season.
Only a few changes for the Bears from Wednesday’s game. Alex Suzdalev comes in for Justin Nachbaur and slots in on the third line. Ryan Hofer slides down to the fourth line from that.
On defense, it was a rookie for rookie swap, as Leon Muggli came in for Ryan Chesley. Garin Bjorklund got the start in his return from a short stint in Washington.
Postgame Takeaways
- It was once again a slow start for the Bears against the Penguins. I recognize this is a Wilkes-Barre team that has been at another level compared to Hershey this season, but the Bears cannot keep putting themselves behind this season, especially against the Penguins this year.
- Avery Hayes has been a terror to the Bears since turning professional and he started with both of Wilkes-Barre’s two goals in the first. Hayes is going to be a full time NHLer sooner rather than later, and Hershey would rather it be sooner.
- Huge save from Garin Bjorklund in his return from Washington on Tristan Broz while Wilkes-Barre was shorthanded. Ilya Protas connected on the power play a minute later, and the Bears were clearly brought back to life.
- Another two point game for both Protas and Cristall, who continue to lead the Bears in scoring. More than halfway through the season, the two rookies are still on track to be the first rookie duo to lead the Bears in scoring during the regular season in Hershey’s 88-year history.
- Aaron Ness left the game early and played sparingly throughout the rest of the game. As the Bears injury list has gotten smaller, it would be a hit to see the Captain be out with injury once again right after coming back.
- Alex Suzdalev put Hershey’s third on the board. Suzdalev has been effective when he’s been placed in the lineup recently. With his goal tonight, he’s got a point in three of his last five games. He may be playing himself into a more consistent spot in the lineup.
- The third period was a slog. The referees, after calling every little thing in the first two periods, put the whistles away and let the two teams play. Wilkes-Barre, clearly a little more tired having played the night before in Allentown, played a more defensive way in the third while attacking on the counter. After the two teams combined for 50 total shots through the first 40 minutes, the third only saw a combined 11 shots between the two.
- Not to avoid the monkey in the room- a stick did hit Ville Koivunen high with 11 seconds left in the game. I did not see a replay where it was clear whether it was Jon McDonald’s stick that hit him. Thems the breaks and the Bears spent all of overtime on the PK.
- Another overtime loss for the Bears- their sixth of the year and eighth in the extra period. It’s starting to hurt to see some of these extra points go by the wayside.
Postgame Comments
Derek King: https://youtu.be/ybm4VoXsWNE?si=XOrxMpTk2iXhOg_w
Ilya Protas: https://youtu.be/x5czPfwqWdg?si=XouARaxXqYZD2MPp
Leon Muggli: https://youtu.be/eruUGcX_FI4?si=AiYEx-XCUZy68ogx
The Chocolate Roar 