Bears' Point Streak Snapped in Providence

February 12, 2016

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Chandler Stephenson and Scott Gomez netted goals but the Hershey Bears could not overcome a four-goal deficit, as the Providence Bruins claimed a 5-2 victory over the visitors on Friday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Stephenson opened the scoring just 2:56 into the game.  Bruins goaltender Jeremy Smith was caught in the left side of his crease after facing a faked shot.  The puck ended up behind the goal line, where Chris Bourque worked it in front.  With Smith still out of position, Stephenson hit the open upper-right corner for a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins came right back and tied the game off of a faceoff win by Seth Griffith.  The puck came to defenseman Tommy Cross, who hurried a shot toward the net that got past Dan Ellis at 6:33.

Providence then took a 2-1 lead late in the frame on a three-on-two rush.  Cross passed to the left wing for Brandon DeFazio, who moved the puck in front for Andrew Cherniwchan to deflect over Ellis’ arm at 16:38.

The Bears’ defense held up well in the middle frame, as the team allowed just six shots on goal – which included 4:32 of penalty killing time.  But one of the six managed to get past Ellis, when Griffith circled up high and let a snap shot go that sailed through traffic into the upper-left corner at 5:10 for a 3-1 Providence lead.

On a carry-over power play, Ben Youds fired a shot from the right point that found its way home for a 4-1 lead just :36 into the third period.

Frank Vatrano made it a 5-1 game on another power play chance for the Bruins, whirling around in the high slot and sending an ice-level shot into the cage at 6:50.

The Bears earned a late power play and made it count, cutting the deficit to 5-2.  Riley Barber worked the puck out of the left-wing corner to a wide-open Bourque, who faked Smith down before feeding Gomez for a one-timer from the right circle at 18:00.  The Bears could draw no closer, however, and the Bruins took the victory.

Hershey’s 13-game point streak was snapped in the setback, as the team’s record stands at 27-14-3-7.  Ellis finished the night with 20 saves and fell to 16-7-4 on the season.  Smith improved to 2-0-0 with Providence and 7-14-3 overall with 24 saves on the night.  The Bears finished 1-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-6 on the penalty kill.

The Bears are on the road again tomorrow, February 13 for a 7:00 PM face-off against the Springfield Falcons at MassMutual Center.  Fans may catch the broadcast beginning at 6:20 PM on the Bears Radio Network of affiliates WQIC-FM 100.1, WTKT-AM 1460, WOYK-AM 1350, via the iHeartRadio App (Fox Sports 1460 Harrisburg) and online at CapsRadio247.com or FoxSports1460.com.  Fans may watch the game live for a small fee at AHLLive.com.

The Bears return home to host the Bruins on Saturday, February 20 at 7:00 PM.  The first 8,000 fans will receive a rally towel courtesy of Ames Janitorial Services.  Individual tickets are available at the GIANT Center box office, by calling (717) 508-BEAR or online at TicketMaster.com.

NOTES: The Bears’ 13-game point streak is the third-longest in the AHL this season…The Washington Capitals reassigned forward Caleb Herbert to the South Carolina Stingrays earlier in the day…The Bears scratched D Madison Bowey, RW Chris Brown, C Carter Camper, LW Paul Carey and D Tyler Lewington… Scott Gomez has two goals and six assists on a three-game point streak…Chris Bourque extended his point streak to six games (1-10-11) and retains the AHL scoring lead (21-33-54).