Bears Fight to 2-1 Win Over Checkers

November 16, 2019

Mike Sgarbossa broke a 1-1 tie in the 3rd period with a power play goal, and Pheonix Copley 17 of 18 shots to help the Hershey Bears to a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Giant Center. 

After a scoreless first period, the Chocolate and White broke a goalless drought of 167:42 and brought 10,241 fans to its feet. On the rebound of a Joe Snively shot, Liam O'Brien jammed home the second opportunity past Charlotte goaltender Anton Forsberg at the 14:58 mark. The goal came nine seconds after a Checkers penalty assessed to Eetu Luostarinen for hooking expired. The Bears fired 18 shots on goal in the 2nd period, setting a new single-period season-high. 

Into the final period leading 1-0, the Checkers found the equalizer at 8:27. On the power play, Max McCormick beat Copley five-hole in the low-slot after the puck bounced off Janne Kuokkanen's skate and onto McCormick's tape. 

The Chocolate and White responded with a goal of their own on the man-advantage to salvage a late 2-1 lead. Hunter Shinkaruk was whistled for tripping in his offensive zone at 12:56, and Sgarbossa sniped a shot past Forsberg on the power play at 13:23 for his seven tally of the season. 

Final shots on goal in Hershey's 2-1 win were 37-18 Bears. Hershey's power play finished 1-for-6, and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. The Bears record improved to 8-6-2-2 on the season after splitting back-to-back contests with Charlotte. 

The Hershey Bears return to action on Saturday, Nov. 23 against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers from Webster Bank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM. Voice of the Bears Zack Fisch will have the call on the Bears Radio Network.