Hershey returned to action for the second part of the extremely rare weeknight back to back against the Charlotte Checkers. The Bears came into the night having won their last four, and knocked off the Checkers last night 3-2 in overtime.
Only one change for the Bears from last night. Reilly Webb comes in for David Gucciardi on defense, where the pairs are slightly adjusted from last night. The forward lines stay the same and Clay Stevenson got his second straight start.
Postgame Takeaways
- It was not a super exciting first period, but I felt like Hershey was the stronger of the two teams in the third period. Their passing was crisper, they were better on the forecheck, and Charlotte couldn’t get their transition game going.
- Derek King has harped on this group improving on the little things during a game that make all the difference. I feel like over this five game stretch, including tonight, that Hershey has looked the best all year at doing all those little things.
- I know some in the fan base have complained about how long it’s taken, but this group, even with the loss tonight, seems to be gaining some critical momentum as a unit at a necessary time.
- It would be Charlotte’s transition game that would hurt the Bears for the Checkers first goal. A tired defense pairing during the long change on a three on two usually leads to bad things happening. The bad thing here was Noah Gregor putting Charlotte up 1-0.
- Hershey stuck with it though, and it was the second line again, and it was Alex Suzdalev again, who scored his third goal in two games to tie this one up at one.
- Suzdalev continues to impress in recent weeks and seems to be finally solidifying his place in the lineup. He’s been around for parts of the last two years, so it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 21 (though he turns 22 in two days, so happy early birthday Alex). His growth has been encouraging this last month, and is what you want to see out of young players in this group.
- Brett Leason got the primary assist on the goal, his 8th straight game with an assist and his 10th game in 11 with an assist. It’s been a heck of a month for the veteran, who’s been one of Hershey’s best point producers since officially joining up with the team in November.
- In a game where both sides were clearly feeling it and everyone looked low on energy, Charlotte’s second goal with 53 seconds left in the second felt like a dagger.
- Tough break on that second goal too. Bouncing puck found its way to Robert Mastrosimone, after the refs maybe missed a high stick that got Belpedio high. Those are the small moments in a hockey game that make or break them.
- Clay Stevenson was excellent the last two nights, but he will want that third goal back. Not a great spot to let Nolan Foote shoot from, but he saw it all the way, and it was one he should have had.
- By midway through the third, it was clear the four games in five nights stretch had caught up with this group, but Hershey will surely be happy taking three of those of four games headed into a weekend in the Northeast away at Hartford and Providence.
- Lehigh Valley lost tonight, so the Bears have continued to gain ground on them.
- Also everyone- trade deadline on Friday. No game for Hershey or Washington until after the deadline, and expect there to be a lot of noise around the parent club. Remember that not every source is reliable and not everything you see on social media is true. We will try to keep you updated best we can here at The Chocolate Roar over the next 72 hours.
Postgame Comments
Derek King: https://youtu.be/0kgLqgtsigY?si=V5Cj9lCnqK6LbJFU
Reilly Webb: https://youtu.be/cCs95FyqudI?si=FHTgQj8x6d81HCZX
The Chocolate Roar 