Bears Take 2-1 Series Lead Following 4-2 Win Over Amerks

May 27, 2023

The Hershey Bears (8-2) took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals following a 4-2 victory over the Rochester Americans (7-4) in Game 3 on Saturday night at Blue Cross Arena.

BOX SCORE

Hershey took a 1-0 lead at 11:50 of the first period when Logan Day one-timed a shot from the blue line past Malcom Subban for his second of the postseason, from Aliaksei Protas and Sam Anas.

Anas and Day connected again in the second period, as Anas found twine from the right circle for a power-play goal from Day and Hendrix Lapierre at 5:36 that beat Subban.

Rochester got on the board at 7:57 when Zach Metsa’s shot from the blue line beat a screened Hunter Shepard to halve Hershey’s lead to 2-1.

The Bears answered at 10:27 when Connor McMichael drove the front of the net and put home a centering feed from Lucas Johansen through the pads of Subban for his fourth of the playoffs. Joe Snively also added an assist.

Sean Malone trimmed the lead to 3-2 when the Rochester center scored at 7:36 of the third, but the Bears closed out the game with an empty-net score by Protas from Riley Sutter and Beck Malenstyn at 19:17.

Shots finished 33-25 in favor of the Americans. Shepard made 31 saves for the Bears in the win; Subban went 21-for-24 in the loss for the Americans. Hershey was 1-for-2 on the power play while Rochester went 0-for-2.

The Bears’ 2023 playoffs, presented by Penn State Health, continues when the Chocolate and White face the Rochester Americans in Game 4 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals at Blue Cross Arena on Monday, May 29 at 6:05 p.m. Bears fans can view the game together as Hershey will host a Game 4 Watch Party at The Bears’ Den, located inside Hershey Lodge. Festivities are set to start at 5 p.m.; seating is first come, first serve and reservations will not be accepted, so fans are asked to arrive early. During intermissions, longtime in-arena emcee and Bears Radio Network contributor Jim Jones will host trivia with a chance to win Hershey Bears prize packs and gift cards to The Bears’ Den. Plus, the evening will feature a $3 TRULY Wild Berry can special. The Bears return home to GIANT Center for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 31 at 7 p.m., which also serves as a Hersheypark Pass Night – all fans in attendance will receive a Hersheypark ticket upon entry to the game, valid for one-day admission through June 30, 2023. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS. Continue to check HersheyBears.com for the latest updates on the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, including games, dates, times, and ticket information.