BEARS USE NEARLY ALL AVAILABLE TIME TO DEFEAT WOLF PACK

October 19, 2014

HARTFORD, Conn.– Casey Wellman scored a power-play goal with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime, helping Pheonix Copley earn his first career shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday afternoon at XL Center.

The Bears outshot the Wolf Pack by an 11-4 margin in both the first and second periods, stymieing the Hartford offense with an aggressive forecheck during the entire game.  Hartford’s penalty killing also stood up to a tough test, led by goaltender Jason Missiaen, who turned aside numerous Hershey chances.

Missiaen’s best saves came midway through the third period, when he denied Chandler Stephenson and Garrett Mitchell in succession with two saves from in close.

The Hartford netminder then had to face an overtime power play.  With the teams skating three-on-three, Dylan McIlrath was handed a tripping penalty when he took down Tim Kennedy along the goal line.  On the ensuing four-on-three advantage, Missiaen waved to stop a Kris Newbury chance.  The puck came around to Connor Carrick, who hurried the puck on goal with time winding down.  Wellman was able to dig the puck loose and place it over a sprawling Missiaen, sending the Hershey bench off in celebration.

Missiaen was outstanding for the Pack, stopping 36 of 37 shots faced but taking a tough loss in his season debut.  Copley made 15 saves for the shutout, improving to 2-0-0 on the campaign.
 
The Bears wrap up their stretch of five consecutive road games with a matchup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, October 24.  Face-off from Allentown’s PPL Center is set for 7:05 PM.  Fans may listen to the game beginning with pre-game at 6:25 PM on the Bears Radio Network of affiliates WQIC-FM 100.1, WTKT-AM 1460, WOYK-AM 1350, WRBT-FM 94.9 HD-2 and on the iHeart Radio application, station WTKT-AM 1460.

Hershey will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the club’s home opener on Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 PM.  The Bears will wear special opening-night jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, and the first 8,000 fans will receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of PNC Bank.  Tickets for this game and all home contests may be purchased at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.
 
 
NOTES: The Bears scratches were G Brandon Anderson, LW Dane Byers, RW Chris Conner and D Mike Moore…LW Kris Newbury served as a third alternate captain in Moore’s absence… Hartford scratched RW Michael Kantor, D Chris McCarthy, LW Richard Nejezchleb and LW Justin Vaive…Three stars: 3-Kundratek, 2-Missiaen, 1-Wellman…The Bears matched their longest road winning streak of 2013-2014 with the victory (three games)…The Bears snapped a three-game winless skid against the Wolf Pack with the victory.
Information on group tickets and season tickets for the 2014-2015 Hershey Bears regular season is available by calling (717) 508-BEAR.  Many different flexible plans are offered and start as low as $170.