May 20, 2010
A thrill ride in Game 5 gives HERSHEY a come-from-behind overtime win, lifting the team a single win away from the Calder Cup Finals. The BEARS rallied twice in the third period and won a 3-2 decision in overtime to take a three games to two lead in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals Thursday night.
Neither team would score in the first period Thursday night, with HERSHEY firing 11 shots at Manchester goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Michal Neuvirth would face just seven in the first 20 minutes, with the BEARS carrying a good part of the play. The 11 shots in the first broke a streak of five straight periods with single-digit shots on goal.
HERSHEY was blanked in the second by Bernier, while Neuvirth was busy keeping Manchester at bay. A scoreless game heading into the third period set the stage for an instant classic. The Monarchs, after 44 minutes of scoreless hockey, struck first with Bud Holloway scoring his seventh goal of the playoffs. All six of Holloway’s goals previously this playoff year, and with the BEARS falling 1-0 to Bernier in Game 4, some nasty omens were starting to appear. But Kyle Wilson rallied the Chocolate and White with an even strength goal at 11:41 of the third to tie the game at 1-1.
The Monarchs picked up a late third period power play, and made the most of it. Jacob Muzzin, a rookie defenseman with one game of AHL experience before the Calder Cup playoffs began, scored his first pro goal with a right point shot. The goal came at 17:26 of the third period, and gave Manchester a late 2-1 lead. It looked as if the Monarchs would take the series lead, but with Neuvirth on the bench for an extra attacker in the final minute of regulation, the BEARS saved the best for last. Chris Bourque took the puck right circle from Alexandre Giroux and scored his seventh goal of the playoffs at 19:09 to tie the game. The goal stunned the Verizon Wireless Arena crowd, who could sense history was about to be made for the home team. Even as regulation came to a close, Bud Holloway rang a shot off the right goal post. The game would go to overtime.
Both teams had great scoring chances in overtime, but HERSHEY enjoyed the bulk of the shots. At 10:38 of sudden death, Francois Bouchard hit home a rebound from Mathieu Perreault, and the BEARS claimed a heart-stopping 3-2 win to move within a single victory of the 2010 Calder Cup Finals.
BEARS Radio Network Three Stars of the game:
1. Francois Bouchard (Overtime game-winner)
2. Chris Bourque (Game-tying strike in the final minute of regulation)
3. Kyle Wilson (Started the rally with a third period goal)
Notes: The two teams now head to HERSHEY for the remainder of the series, beginning on Saturday night. Game 6 of the series will be at
Giant Center Saturday night, with tickets available at the
Giant Center box office, or by calling (717) 534-3911. The start for Neuvirth was his sixth straight dating back to Game 4 of the East Division Finals. HERSHEY’S overtime win was the sixth victory in sudden death this playoff year, tying an AHL record.
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