Shorthanded Goal Sinks Pack in Game Three
May 10, 2015Defenseman Cameron Schilling’s third-period shorthanded goal was the game-winner for the Hershey Bears Sunday against the Wolf Pack, in Game Three of the teams’ best-of-seven second-round playoff series.
The game was played at the DCU Center in Worcester, due to scheduling conflicts at the XL Center. Hershey now leads the series two games to one.
The Wolf Pack’s goal was also a shorthander, scored by Joey Crabb. Another blueliner, Nate Schmidt, scored Hershey’s other tally. Philipp Grubauer made 31 saves to get the win for the Bears, and Yann Danis stopped 20 shots in the Wolf Pack net.
The Wolf Pack had three power plays, including a 27-second two-man advantage, in the first period but were unable to score, despite a 13-7 shots on goal advantage.
The two teams traded goals in the second frame, with the Bears scoring just outside the opening minute of the period and the Wolf Pack replying in the final minute.
Schmidt gave Hershey the game’s first lead 67 seconds into the second, heading hard to the net and backhanding the rebound of a Jakub Vrana shot past Danis.
That lead lasted until there were only 40.8 seconds remaining in the period, when Crabb scored the Wolf Pack’s first shorthanded goal of the postseason. With Justin Vaive off for high-sticking, Crabb carried the puck into the Hershey end on right wing and perfectly threaded a low shot through two Bear defenders and underneath the pads of Grubauer.
The Bear penalty kill had the last word, though, scoring the winner at 10:23 of the third with Liam O’Brien serving a high-sticking penalty. Schmidt brought the puck into the Wolf Pack zone and fired a shot through Hartford defender Michael Kostka’s legs and high into the net.
Game Four of the series is also at the DCU Center Monday night, with faceoff at 7:00. Tickets are all be priced at $13 each (additional fees apply for on-line and phone orders), and are available on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at the DCU Center Box Office
If a Game Six is necessary in the series, it will be played at the XL Center Friday, May 15, with faceoff at 7:00. Fans can reserve their tickets now for that game, at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. If Game Six of the series is not played, a refund will be issued to the credit card used for the purchase.
Hershey Bears 2 at Hartford Wolf Pack 1 - Status: Final
Sunday, May 10, 2015 - DCU Center
Hershey 0 1 1 - 2
Hartford 0 1 0 - 1
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Vrana Her (interference), 12:07; Kennedy Her (cross-checking), 15:14; Newbury Her (throwing the stick), 16:47.
2nd Period-1, Hershey, Schmidt 3 (Vrana, Wellman), 1:07. 2, Hartford, Crabb 2 19:19 (SH). Penalties-Moore Her (delay of game), 3:30; Allen Hfd (slashing), 13:53; Vaive Hfd (high-sticking), 18:09; Bodie Hfd (high-sticking), 20:00.
3rd Period-3, Hershey, Schilling 3 10:23 (SH). Penalties-L. O'Brien Her (high-sticking), 9:03; Lindberg Hfd (hooking), 12:07.
Shots on Goal-Hershey 7-11-4-22. Hartford 13-11-8-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Hershey 0 / 4; Hartford 0 / 5.
Goalies-Hershey, Grubauer 2-1-0 (32 shots-31 saves). Hartford, Danis 4-3-0 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-908
Referees-Mark Lemelin (41), Evgeny Romasko (6).
Linesmen-Trent Knorr (63), Alex Stagnone (7).