It was the same old story for the Hershey Bears. This time, they got burned in another high scoring game in a 5-4 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The loss snapped a six-game point streak for the Bears with head coach Todd Nelson vowing changes. The I-81 rivalry between the two teams renews in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Rutger McGroarty scored the game-winning goal on blown defensive coverage with 1:15 to play in regulation.
“They Know Better”
It’s the latest time the Bears have allowed a lot of goals. Four times in this game, Hershey answered a tally from Wilkes-Barre before allowing the game-winner. Hershey made a boatload of errors leading up to several goals, including the fifth one on the rush. Hershey put up enough goals to win but couldn’t stop their opponent. Bears head coach Todd Nelson didn’t mince words about his team’s performance following the game.
“Tonight was a playoff style game, and we told (the players),” Nelson said. “They had their full complement of players; they have some skill over there. The positive thing is that we got four past their goaltender, but we can’t allow five goals. We have to be better from our goaltender to our defensemen to our forwards. That’s the bottom line.”
“Fifth goal, a minute and thirty seconds left, and we lose our F3. The defenseman stands up. We don’t practice that, they know better. I don’t know. It’s frustrating. I know it’s only our fifth regulation loss but if we played the right way, we’d only have two. That’s why it’s disappointing, we have to make teams earn their points and not just give it to them.”
“I’m concerned, I really am. We’re going into December. I walked into the room and asked the guys, ‘who beat the Hershey Bears?’ and they all know, they said the Hershey Bears. When you play against a good team like Wilkes-Barre, you better make sure you play a playoff-style game. Passes better be sharp or else they’ll hurt you, which they did tonight.”
Bears Repeating
It’s been an ongoing issue for the Bears. On a three-game road trip against North Division opponents, the Bears saw leads evaporate in each of their stops. They’ve allowed a lot of goals in that span, too, with three or more against in eight of their last nine games. Hershey has managed to earn plenty of wins and points, but it’s a far cry from their style of play that won the Calder Cup.
“Anytime you make unforced errors…come on. We’ve been working on this stuff. 20 of these guys are back from last year. Part of it is Calder Cup hangover, and it is concerning. No one is going to feel sorry for us and we have to get out of it.”
The stage is set for changes to the team’s lineup on Wednesday. Nelson had some idea of who will suit up, but the big takeaway is that no one is exempt from possibly sitting out.
“We have available guys; we have a bit of a veteran issue. Tonight’s the type of game we could have used Dalton Smith; I see him drawing into the lineup on Wednesday. We play Wilkes (on the road) and it’ll be interesting to see how our team reacts. Everyone we play is good, it’s going to be a battle.”
“We’re probably going to see a bit of a different lineup (on Wednesday). Enough is enough. Players have to understand that there’s going to be accountability and no one’s safe.”
Hockey Fights Cancer Night Returns
The final score soured what was otherwise a stellar Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Hershey. The Bears wore special lavender jerseys that were auctioned off after the game for charity. A portion of the proceeds is donated to local organizations through the Hershey Bears Cares Initiative. Both teams stood on their respective blue lines with signs that start off with “I Fight For” followed by the names of those impacted by cancer. Fans received rally towels with a similar spot to fill in a name, which were recognized during the game.
It was a powerful scene in Hershey as several players shared their stories on the video board. One of the team’s in-arena hosts, Jim Jones, was able to share his story. The Bears have hosted a Hockey Fights Cancer Night every season beginning in 2018. Fans donned lavender jerseys and had plenty of purple and pink in the stands in recognition of the event.
