The Hershey Bears and the Cleveland Monsters went the distance in Saturday’s Game Two. Like any good boxing match, there were plenty of blows traded and drama all around. Extra time was needed to decide a winner for the second consecutive game. In the end, Pierrick Dubé found the deciding blow to lift the Bears to a 3-2 win to earn a 2-0 series lead. The series shifts to Cleveland for at least the next two games.
Low-Scoring Affair
After the two teams combined for nine goals on Thursday, the rematch saw both teams get back to their roots. Both goaltenders put forth outstanding efforts, with the red light a rarity in this game. It took until the late stages of the second period to find any goals, with the Bears finding the first one. Garrett Roe opened the scoring with his fourth of the playoffs through a screen from Mike Vecchione. Vecchione took away goaltender Jet Greaves’s eyes at the perfect time to allow Roe’s shot to find the twine.
Roe has been outstanding since entering the team’s lineup. His goal extends his point streak to five straight games and seven points (four goals, three assists) in six overall. He’s been nothing short of a game-changer for the Bears since joining the lineup during the Lehigh Valley series.
Monsters Match
However, Cleveland responded minutes later to even the count at one. Justin Pearson was off to the races and appeared set to pick up the puck on a breakaway. Hunter Shepard charged from his crease to play the puck first, but ultimately the biscuit tied up in some bodies. Pearson found the puck and got it to Josh Dunne, who was able to tap the puck into the empty net.
It’s Dunne’s fourth of the season and extends his point streak to three games. He’s had five points (two goals, three assists) in that stretch as Cleveland’s most productive forward in this series. His point count matches his total output in the regular season in 25 games played.
Frank’s On Fire
Although the third period saw the Bears outshot 14-3, they took advantage when it mattered most. Hendrix Lapierre found a gap in the defense with some time to fire a pass. Ethen Frank waited on the other side, and the lethal pair connected for his seventh goal of the postseason. Hershey took advantage of the chance and pulled ahead, once again looking to make the lead stand up.
Frank has been outstanding for the Bears in these playoffs. Saturday’s goal gives him tallies in each of his last five games. He has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in eight playoff games, ranking second in goals scored in the AHL.
Jiricek Does It Again
Hershey looked to clamp down on the lead late in regulation but were allowing plenty of chances. Just like the first game, the Bears took a late penalty to further add to the pressure they were facing. In an eerily similar fashion to the first game, David Jiricek fired a shot from the point that beat Shepard high through traffic. With less than 100 seconds to play in regulation, the Monsters had once again knotted up the score.
It’s been an impressive outing for Jiricek from the blue line as he, too, has been on a tear of late. He’s tallied points in four consecutive games including three points in Thursday’s game. The production has been key for the Monsters from the back end, and with nine points (three goals, six assists), Jiricek has been as advertised.
Roaring to the Win
After struggling a bit to start the extra session, the Bears ramped up their game as play went on. With chances slowly starting to favor Hershey, it’d take another hero to step up for the winner. This time, Pierrick Dubé took the puck from his own end and carried it up ice. Jimmy Huntington bumped a pass back to Dubé, and a deft move from the forward chipped the puck past Greaves. Hershey took a 3-2 win and a 2-0 series lead.
It’s an important goal for Dubé, who was one of Hershey’s leading goal scorers in the regular season. He’s been working to try and increase his production, with Saturday’s goal his biggest tally yet. It’s his second goal of the playoffs and first point since the Lehigh Valley series.
“That’s a big goal for him,” Bears head coach Nelson said of Dubé. “Obviously for our hockey team, but for him as well. He’s doing the right things, but it’s not clicking in his direction and he’s been frustrated. That’s huge, hopefully it gets him going with point production.”
The Ebbs and Flows of the Playoffs
“They really took it to us in the third,” Nelson said. “In the start of overtime, it was the same thing until we killed off that penalty. It gave us life and we started taking over the game. That’s the ebbs and flows of the playoffs.”
“Once again, with three minutes left we took a minor penalty. They tie it up and suddenly we’re in the same position as Game One. I’d like to say we’re going to learn from these things, but it’s two games in a row that it’s happened.”
One major loss for the Bears was defenseman Lucas Johansen, who exited the game in the third period. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game and was being evaluated, Nelson said. Hershey is already without the services of Hardy Haman Aktell and Logan Day due to injury. If Johansen can’t play, Dmitry Osipov is currently the next healthy defenseman on their roster.
On the Road Again
The two teams hit the road to Cleveland as the series shifts to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Game Three is set for Tuesday, June 4 while Game Four is set for two days later. If necessary, a fifth game would take place on Saturday, June 8. The win on Saturday guarantees at least one more game at Giant Center during this playoff year.
