Vanecek Strong In Losing Effort as Bears Fall 3-0 In Binghamton

October 16, 2016

Binghamton, NY - Hershey Bears goaltender Vitek Vanecek turned in a strong effort, but two goals from forward Casey Bailey propelled the Binghamton Senators to a 3-0 victory over the Hershey Bears Saturday night in Binghamton. Vanecek stopped 28 shots in the losing effort as the Bears fell to 0-2-0-0.

Both goalies stole the show in the opening period as the Senators outshot the Bears 12-9. Making his first start of the season, and second in the AHL, Vanecek made several key saves for Hershey including denying a Ryan Rupert shot from in tight early.

Vanecek would surrender his first goal on a turnover inside the Hershey defensive zone. Francis Perron intercepted a pass in the slot and fed Bailey on the left wing. His one-time shot beat Vanecek on the inside post to make it 1-0 with just over five minutes left in the first period. 

The Senators kept Vanecek busy in the middle frame, firing 14 more shots on goal.  Despite several fantastic saves from the netminder, Bailey scored his second goal of the game to make it 2-0 Senators at 9:05. Perron intercepted a pass at his own blue line and darted up the ice on a breakaway. Vanecek denied Perron’s shot with his left pad, but the puck bounced in the crease to Bailey. The forward made no mistake and converted into the open side of the goal. 

Hershey would press late, firing nine shots in the third period, but Mike Blunden scored the lone goal of the frame for Binghamton, striking for an empty net tally at 19:16 of the third to make it 3-0.
The Senators outshot the Bears 31-25. Chris Driedger earned the shutout in goal for Binghamton.  

The Bears next contest is the home opener on Saturday, October 22 at 7:05 p.m. as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers visit the Giant Center.