Vrana's Two Goals Not Enough as Bears Fall in Rochester, 5-4

October 14, 2016

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Forward Jakub Vrana scored twice, but the Rochester Americans earned a 5-4 victory over the Hershey Bears on the opening night of the 2016-17 season Friday at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. The Americans were aided by four points from Cole Schneider while Hershey got additional goals from Hubert Labrie and Brad Malone.

In a back and forth game, the Americans provided the first two blows courtesy of Schneider. The forward scored 45 seconds into the game on the power play, deflecting a shot past Hershey netminder Joe Cannata. He tallied again at 4:03 of the second period to make it 2-0 Rochester. 

Hershey’s first goal of the season came from defender Hubert Labrie at 6:48 of the middle frame. Hershey forward Paul Carey intercepted a pass and fed Madison Bowey on the right wing. With Labrie open in front, Bowey chipped a pass to his teammate, and Labrie scored on the second attempt to make it 2-1.

After Nick Baptiste scored for Rochester to make it 3-1, the Bears stormed back with a pair of goals to briefly tie the game. Brad Malone scored his first goal of the season at 13:06, sliding a bad angle shot through the legs of Rochester goaltender Linus Ullmark. Riley Barber provided the lone assist. 

On the play, Hershey’s Nathan Walker was hit from behind into the boards, drawing a five-minute major penalty on Rochester’s Justin Bailey. On the man advantage, Vrana struck for his first goal of the night. The first round draft pick of Washington beat Ullmark with a one-time slap shot from the right wing to make it 3-3 at 15:44. Chris Bourque and Stanislav Galiev added assists. 

Rochester would score the next two goals which would prove to be too much to overcome for the Bears. Cal O’Reilly scored with just 25 seconds left in the second period on the power play, and Eric Cornel added the game-winning tally at 2:37 of the third period. Despite a late goal from Vrana at 8:51, and a late rally from Hershey, the Americans held on for the win. 

The Bears outshot the Americans 29-12 in the game. Hershey was 1-for-4 on the power play while the Americans were 2-for-4.

The Bears are back in action tomorrow night on the road versus Binghamton. Puck drop versus the Senators is at 7:05 p.m. and fans may listen to the game on WQIC 100.1FM & on the Bears app via Fox Sports 1460AM as Zack Fisch has the call.