Hartford Tops Hershey 3-2 in OT Wednesday

October 26, 2016

(Hartford, CT - October 26, 2016) –For the second straight contest, the Hershey Bears earned a point in the standings, but fell in overtime to an Atlantic Division rival. The Hartford Wolf Pack topped Hershey, 3-2 in the extra session on Wednesday evening at the XL Center. The loss dropped the Bears to 1-2-2-0, but extended Hershey’s point-streak to three games.

The Bears opened the scoring Wednesday on a goal by defender Tyler Lewington. The second-year Bear collected the puck at the top of the right wing faceoff circle and fired a slap shot. The puck darted over the glove of Hartford goaltender Magnus Hellberg to make it 1-0 Hershey. Riley Barber and Aaron Ness assisted.

In the middle frame, the two teams would combine for three goals in a span of just over two minutes. Former Hershey forward Chris Brown would even the score on the power play at 7:24. An Adam Tambellini slap shot deflected off Brown’s skate and bounced past the glove of Hershey netminder Joe Cannata to make it 1-1.

After Malte Stromwall scored his first professional goal to give Hartford a 2-1 lead at 8:19, the Bears responded to even the score at 9:41. Hershey forward Jakub Vrana poked the puck loose along the right wing and led a three-on-one rush for the Bears. Travis Boyd fed Aaron Ness with a pass, and the defender found Carey open in front. The Hershey forward collected his second goal of the season to make 2-2.

The third period saw no scoring as Cannata turned in 12 key saves for Hershey. The Bears were awarded a power play with only 2:14 to play as the Wolf Pack were caught for delay of game, but Hershey failed to score. Hershey was 0-for-6 on the power play in the game while the Wolf Pack were 1-for-5.

In overtime, the two teams traded chances, but Ryan Graves would score the winning goal at 2:35. Hartford’s Niklas Jensen moved the puck back to the high slot where Graves stood uncovered. He fired a slap shot off the post and past Cannata to give the Wolf Pack the win.

Cannata stopped 32 shots in the loss. Hartford outshot Hershey, 35-23 in the game.

The Bears return to GIANT Center for a pair of games on home ice this weekend. On Saturday the Binghamton Senators come to town for a 7 p.m. puck drop on Reese's Trick-or-Treat Night. Sunday at 5 p.m. versus Lehigh Valley is Mixed-Up Productions Pink The Rink Night featuring a breast cancer awareness silent jersey auction. The evening is also a Dietz & Watson Dollar Dog Night.

Information on full season tickets, 22-game and 12-game plans and flex-10 ticket plans for the 2016-17 Hershey Bears regular season is available now by calling (717) 508-BEAR.  Flexible ticket plans start as low as $185 per seat. Information on full season tickets, 22-game and 12-game plans and flex-10 ticket plans for the 2016-17 Hershey Bears regular season is available now by calling (717) 508-BEAR.  Flexible ticket plans start as low as $185 per seat.