It’s not the biggest goal Mike Vecchione has ever scored, but it was a pretty significant one on Friday in Rochester. He broke the deadlock to end a scoring drought, lifting the Hershey Bears to their seventh straight win. The Bears took a 4-2 decision in a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals over the Americans to improve to 26-6-0-0 on the season.
Eastern Conference Final Rematch
Much like the last time these two teams faced off in the spring, it was a back-and-forth affair on Friday night. Hershey leapt out in front with a big goal from Lucas Johansen, his first goal in just his fourth game with the Bears this season. Johansen started the season with the Washington Capitals, but cleared waivers to join the Bears for the first time since lifting the Calder Cup in the spring.
Rochester answered just 24 seconds into the second period on a tally from Linus Weissbach. His goal beat an outstretched Clay Stevenson (26 saves) to even the score at one. Hershey regained the lead later in the second period on the power play, as Ethen Frank fed Mike Sgarbossa for his sixth goal of the year. In a nifty reversal of the norm, Sgarbossa continues to rack up points with 32 on the year.
Veterans Doing Veteran Things
One player who is an absolute difference-maker on the ice is forward Tyson Jost. The veteran of 442 NHL games cleared waivers prior to game time, dressing in his first AHL action since 2019. He’d make his presence felt with a shot worthy of the NHL over the shoulder of Stevenson on the power play. It’d set the stage for a hero to emerge in the game deadlocked at two.
Hershey’s greatest strength is their depth of scoring. This time, the third line took over in the third to provide the decisive goal. Garrett Roe stole the puck and fed Vecchione in the slot beautifully for the goal. It’s Vecchione’s first goal since returning from injury, nearly a month between goals.
The trio would unite for an empty net goal, with Roe lobbing a pass to an open Bogdan Trineyev for some insurance. It’s Trineyev’s fourth goal of the season as the rookie has been invaluable to the team’s success at both ends of the ice.
All I Do is Win
The Bears’ latest win brings their win streak to seven games and moves their point total to 52. Hershey’s success has been staggering, with the team taking wins in 17 of their last 19 games in total. The Chocolate and White were without captain Dylan McIlrath after he sustained an injury in Wednesday’s win. Head coach Todd Nelson was optimistic that he’ll be back in time for the finale of the calendar year on Saturday in Lehigh Valley. That game should be a test as the Phantoms will be rested and waiting for the Bears at PPL Center.
Saturday’s game puts a bow on the year 2023, as the Bears will be back in early January at home. It’s been a great year for the Bears, with their Calder Cup win easily topping the list. Hershey is hoping to take their high-flying ways into the new year and make 2024 even more memorable.
