The Hershey Bears got back in the win column on Saturday night. Rebounding from a loss a day prior, the Bears built a big lead early and had to hold on for a 3-2 decision. Forward Jimmy Huntington factored in on all three goals, tallying two goals and assisting on another. Goaltender Clay Stevenson, making his second appearance in net in as many days, made 24 saves in the win. The Bears pulled to within two points of clinching a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs in the decision.
Phillips Dazzles
Saturday’s game saw the season debut for forward Matthew Phillips. The forward spent most of the season with the Washington Capitals. After a brief stint in Pittsburgh courtesy of a waiver claim, Phillips joined the Bears for the first time on Saturday. He teamed up with Huntington and Pierrick Dubé on an effective offensive line in this game, and they made an impact early. Dubé freed the puck on the forecheck, and Huntington found Phillips alone for his first goal as a Bear.
Phillips played his first game in the AHL since last year’s Calder Cup Playoffs. At the time, he was a member of the Calgary Wranglers, who were eliminated by the Coachella Valley Firebirds in May. He’d make a big impact on the next Hershey goal to break a 1-1 deadlock. Somehow, Phillips spotted Huntington alone in the left face-off circle while winning a battle on the end boards. Huntington buried the shot for his first goal since the end of January to put the Bears ahead.
Checkmate
The two teams traded goals all weekend in this back-and-forth pair of games. Much like Charlotte did on Friday that led to their win, Hershey extended their lead by multiple goals. Huntington tallied his second goal of the game on the power play off of a rebound. Mike Vecchione fired a big shot that hit goaltender Spencer Knight in the mask, leaving a free puck on the rebound. Huntington patrolled the crease and jammed the loose puck in. Hershey broke a four-game goalless drought on the power play with the marker.
However, the Bears were not out of the woods. Patrick Giles scored a shorthanded goal in the last minute of the second period to reduce the lead to one goal. The Checkers would pour on the pressure in the third period with a 10-1 shot edge. Hershey seemed to play defense for the duration of the frame, but Stevenson stood tall and the team’s defense returned to form to seal the victory.
Clinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming
Two points drops Hershey’s magic number to just two points to clinch a playoff spot. The Bears entered the day with the possibility of locking in their berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs but needed some help out of town. However, the Toronto Marlies were unable to beat the Springfield Thunderbirds, leaving the clinching game for another day. Hershey can clinch on Sunday while idle if the Providence Bruins can best Springfield.
The win breaks a three-game losing streak for the Bears and gives them win number 42 of the season. Hershey has still managed to avoid losing back-to-back games in regulation, but this skid was their longest of the year to date. Their next win will hit the 90-point mark with 15 games remaining in the regular season. Saturday’s game saw the Bears return to almost complete health, with only Jake Massie out with injury. The sturdy defenseman is on the way back to action after sustaining an upper-body injury.
