Rolling Bears Sneak Past Wolf Pack
Mar 7, 2015Third-period goals by Kris Newbury and Stan Galiev broke a 3-3 tie Saturday at the XL Center and lifted the red-hot Hershey Bears to a 5-3 win over the Wolf Pack.
A crowd of 7,192 was on hand to see the matinee, the Wolf Pack’s fifth lower-bowl sellout in their last seven home games. The win was sixth in the last seven games for the Bears, who are 17-2-1-1 in their last 21.
Carl Klingberg, Chris Bourque and Danny Kristo scored in the game for the Wolf Pack. Chris Conner and Casey Wellman had a goal and an assist each for the Bears, and Galiev had an assist to go along with his third-period tally. Pheonix Copley made 34 saves, as the Wolf Pack had a 37-20 shots advantage in the game.
The Wolf Pack opened the scoring early in the first period, with a goal from Klingberg after just 1:09 had elapsed. Klingberg put away a rebound chance that was created by Oscar Lindberg ferociously charging the net through multiple Hershey defenders. It was Klingberg’s 16th tally of the season, and his first in two games with the Wolf Pack.
The Bears were quick to respond with a goal of their own. As the Wolf Pack were changing lines, Tim Kennedy was able to find Dustin Gazley streaking down the slot. There was a fair amount of room for Gazley to make a move and put it past Wolf Pack goaltender Yann Danis (15 saves). It was Gazley’s 14th goal on the year, assisted by Kennedy and Jon Landry with 5:50 elapsed in the first period.
The Wolf Pack kept working hard and were rewarded again at 9:05 with a goal from Bourque that put them up 2-1. The Pack drove the puck deep into the zone, collapsing the Hershey defense and leaving the blue line wide open. Conor Allen threaded a pass through to Bourque, who had time and room to put away his 21st of the season.
Hershey, within seconds, knotted the game up yet again with a goal from Conner at 9:24. The Bears were able to generate a late rush, starting with Kennedy who was able to feather a pass over to Conner who buried it from the left-wing side. It was Conner’s 17th tally of the year, helped again by Kennedy, and Galiev.
The Bears turned the tide with another goal at 15:13, gaining their first lead of the night. Wellman netted his 20th goal of the year to put the Bears up 3-2 as the first period was winding down. Wellman was the first to arrive at a loose puck on right wing and fired a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Danis. Wellman’s goal was assisted by Nate Schmidt and Philippe Cornet.
The back and forth continued, as Hartford knotted the game up at three with 10:57 elapsed in the second period. The period had mostly been a defensive battle until Danny Kristo was able to take advantage of a clean breakaway chance. Kristo had perfect timing out of the penalty box to receive a pass from Chris Mueller and get in behind the Bears’ defense. He had plenty of time and made a nice move to beat Copley to the glove side.
At the start of the third period it appeared that the big crowd would be treated to an exciting finish, but Hershey was extremely efficient and capitalized on its chances. The Wolf Pack, on the other hand, could not seem to find the back of the net despite mustering 13 shots on net to the Bears’ three.
Newbury scored the game-winner at 6:24. Wellman faked a shot from the right wing circle, drawing two Hartford defenders, and passed across to Newbury on the left wing. The left pad of Danis caught the shot but it still found its way over the goal line. With the score Newbury improved his tally to 17 on the year, with assist credit going to Wellman and Cornet.
The final goal of the game came from Galiev at 14:14 and appeared to take the wind out Hartford’s sails. The puck bounced off the skate of Conner right to Galiev in the slot, and he fired a shot over Danis’ left shoulder to make it 5-3. Galiev brought his team-leading goal total up to 22 with the insurance goal.
The Wolf Pack are right back in action Sunday afternoon, traveling to Manchester to visit the Monarchs for a 3:00 PM game. All of the action of that battle can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.
The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, March 20, when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms invade the XL Center for a 7:00 game. As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs an $2 beers through the start of the second period.
Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Hershey Bears 5 at Hartford Wolf Pack 3
Saturday, March 7, 2015 - XL Center
Hershey 3 0 2 - 5
Hartford 2 1 0 - 3
1st Period-1, Hartford, Klingberg 16 (Vaive, Lindberg), 1:09. 2, Hershey, Gazley 14 (Kennedy, Landry), 5:50. 3, Hartford, Bourque 21 (Allen, R. Bourque), 9:05. 4, Hershey, Conner 17 (Kennedy, Galiev), 9:24. 5, Hershey, Wellman 20 (Schmidt, Cornet), 15:13. Penalties-Wellman Her (slashing), 1:44; Mitchell Her (fighting), 16:42; Nehring Hfd (fighting), 16:42.
2nd Period-6, Hartford, Kristo 18 (Mueller), 10:57 (SH). Penalties-Kristo Hfd (tripping), 8:51; McIlrath Hfd (delay of game), 10:33; Brown Her (boarding), 11:42; Oleksy Her (fighting), 14:06; Haggerty Hfd (fighting), 14:06; Newbury Her (fighting), 14:22; O'Donnell Hfd (fighting), 14:22; Lindberg Hfd (holding), 16:32.
3rd Period-7, Hershey, Newbury 17 (Wellman, Cornet), 6:24. 8, Hershey, Galiev 22 (Conner), 14:14. Penalties-Schilling Her (cross-checking), 11:41; Cornet Her (holding), 15:51; Oleksy Her (roughing), 17:32; Mueller Hfd (roughing), 17:32; Allen Hfd (misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 20:00.
Shots on Goal-Hershey 9-8-3-20. Hartford 17-7-13-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Hershey 0 / 3; Hartford 0 / 4.
Goalies-Hershey, Copley 11-3-1 (37 shots-34 saves). Hartford, Danis 9-12-1 (20 shots-15 saves).
A-7,192
Referees-Garrett Rank (48), Darcy Burchell (42).
Linesmen-Brent Colby (7), Luke Galvin (2).