The Hershey Bears have their backs against the wall again after a 2-1 loss to the Charlotte Checkers in Game Two. Rasmus Asplund scored both goals, including the overtime winner 3:09 into the extra session. Charlotte takes care of business on home ice to take a 2-0 series lead with one win needed in Hershey to advance. Hunter Shepard took the loss in goal with 27 saves as the busier of the two netminders. Game Three is set for Wednesday night at Giant Center.
Low Scoring Affair
Saturday’s game was a defensive showdown between two strong teams. Shots on goal were at a premium for most of the night. Neither team exceeded double digits in the first two periods of play. The ice was a little better than it was on a hot day on Friday for Game One. Hershey benefitted from the services of Ethan Bear and Henrik Rybinski added to the lineup.
The Bears got exactly what they wanted by scoring the first goal of the night minutes into play. Luke Philp buried a perfect pass from Mike Sgarbossa with Mike Vecchione driving the net for space. The goal is Philp’s first of the playoffs with Hershey and got them going early. Unfortunately, it’d be the only tally of the night for the Bears.
Hershey would struggle to get a lot of pucks on Kaapo Kahkonen the rest of the way. It seemed like they may be able to make a 1-0 lead stand up through two periods. However, Charlotte turned up the heat in the third period with 13 shots on goal and the lion’s share of pressure. They’d net the tying goal with plenty of time left in the third. Asplund got the puck off a blocked shot along the boards and beat Shepard to the side.
Charlotte nearly scored a dagger late in the frame that would have ended the game a few minutes sooner. The Checkers hit the inside of the crossbar with a shot through some traffic. There’d be a lengthy review of the play at the buzzer, with the call deciding between overtime or a rewind of the clock. Ultimately, the game would go to overtime as the puck did not cross the goal line.
Headed to Hershey
Charlotte scored to win in overtime as Asplund got loose at the side of the net by himself. The puck bounced to him, and he’d stash it past the outstretched goaltender to give his team the 2-0 series lead. Both games have been decided by a goal, both in backbreaking fashion.
Hershey will once again get a couple days to try and hit the reset button. Game Three will take place Wednesday at Giant Center, but scheduling will be its own challenge. If the Bears win that game, they’d play Game Four on Thursday. Win that game, and it’s a Saturday date for a decisive Game Five. It’s a mountain for the Bears to climb, but it’s the situation before them to conquer.
Generating more offense will be key for the Bears, who have scored just three goals in two games this series. Many of their top performers in the prior series did not light the lamp this weekend. With the exception of Philp, Vecchione, and Sgarbossa, the lines did not generate much and may be subject to change.
The Bears are healthy right now, and the answer is going to have to come within their current group. However, highly regarded Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall may soon join the team with the conclusion of his season in juniors. Cristall, who nearly made Washington’s roster out of training camp, tallied 132 points in 57 games in the WHL. He tallied 41 points in 19 playoff games and will be in the pro ranks next season. It’d be a tough spot but might just be a story to watch for on Wednesday.
