The Hershey Bears did not learn a lesson before their series against the Charlotte Checkers. Hershey allowed a shorthanded goal in a critical juncture that stood up as the game-winner on Friday. The goal cost them in a close Game One in the Atlantic Division Finals by a 3-2 final count at Bojangles Coliseum. Hunter Shepard made 20 saves in the loss as the Bears seek a split on Saturday night.
Special Teams Battle Lost
In a similar fashion to a loss on the road in Game Three in the prior round, the Bears overcame an early deficit. Bogdan Trineyev scored on a break courtesy of less-than-stellar ice conditions in Charlotte. Not long after, Mike Vecchione buried a pass with heavy pressure to put the Bears in front 2-1. The Bears looked much better after a first period where the teams got a feel for each other. The teams have not played each other since the final game of the regular season series back in February.
Charlotte won the game courtesy of getting goals on special teams. The Checkers tied the game before the end of the second period on the power play. Michael Benning let a shot fly from the point that found a seam on Shepard, who didn’t see it. Benning, who had the turnover on the Trineyev goal, got some redemption on the goal.
Hershey went to the power play just over halfway through the third looking for the winner. Instead, Charlotte went the other way, and the ever-dangerous John Leonard scored shorthanded to take the lead. It’s the fourth shorthanded goal the Bears have allowed in the playoffs. It’s hardly a coincidence the Bears have lost all three games when that’s happened.
Bear Reinforcements
Hershey lost the first game of the series for the first time since the start of the 2024 Calder Cup Finals. Under head coach Todd Nelson, the Bears have lost the first game three times in nine series prior to Friday. None of those losses have happened in a best-of-five series with less running room. It requires an immediate and firm response on Saturday in order to take a split heading back to Hershey.
The good news? Hershey has some help waiting in the wings for Saturday’s rematch. Team MVP and leading scoring defenseman Ethan Bear was re-assigned to Hershey on Friday. Bear was up with the Washington Capitals, whose season came to an end on Thursday. Nelson didn’t want to throw Bear into the lineup so quickly, but it’s likely he’ll dress for Game Two.
Hershey also received goaltenders Clay Stevenson and Mitch Gibson back from Washington. Stevenson arrived in time to back up Shepard on Friday, and the short turnaround leaves questions as to who will start on Saturday. Hershey has some extra personnel to contemplate some changes for a necessary road game.
The Bears were tied for the AHL lead on the road in the regular season with 24 wins. Their success was a focal point, particularly on a record-breaking road trip in March. So far, their road play has been a sore spot in the playoffs with one win in three games. The pressure is on to avoid coming home to face an elimination game.
Game Two Ahead
The two teams face off again on Saturday night at Bojangles Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.
