The Hershey Bears took an early 1-0 series lead over the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL Eastern Conference Finals after a Thursday night thriller at home. The Monsters made a last-minute comeback to force overtime, but were unable to complete the victory. mike vecchione met sudden death, the winner of the game.
The Bears were victorious with goals from Vecchione, Ethen Frank, Aaron Ness, Chase Priskie and Hendrix Lapierre. Vecchione’s goal came eight minutes into overtime and sent the packed Giant Center home happy.
Hershey got on the board first through a red-hot Frank who darted into a semi-breakaway created by a pinpoint pass from Lapierre. The fastest man in hockey made no mistake with his shot over the pad of Cleveland’s Jet Greaves.
After the Bears went 0 for 4 on the power play in the first period, Cleveland took advantage of its first-man advantage in the second quarter. The Monsters found Hunter McKown alone in front of Shepard and he slid a smart shot past the surprised Bears goalie.
Cleveland took the lead just over a minute later when Alex Whelan found a soft spot in front of the net and was able to avoid a flailing backhand from a flailing Shepard.
Not long after, the Bears responded with their own when Mike Vecchione fired a shot that bounced off Aaron Ness’ butt and beat Greaves. The rebound tally is Ness’ first in the postseason. They don’t ask how, they ask how many.
Vecchione was initially credited with the goal until AHL officials saw the clear deflection off Ness’ butt.
Then the Bears finally converted when they were down one man when Chase Priskie walked to the top of the right faceoff circle and unleashed an unstoppable bomb that hit Greaves under his gloved hand.
Lapierre added what initially looked like some sort of insurance in the third period when he collected the puck in neutral, kept his legs moving into the offensive zone and beat Greaves with a wicked wrist shot.
The score gave Hershey a two-goal lead with just under half of the third period over.
Trey Fix-Wolansky scored with Cleveland up 6-on-4 with just under a minute and a half left in regulation.
David Jiricek tied the game with just 19 seconds left.
Vecchione converted on an overtime and odd-man attempt to end the game.
Lapierre, Vecchione and Jimmy Huntington all had multi-point nights. Lapierre leads the team in postseason scoring with ten points (4g, 6a) in eight games.
In fact, Hershey lost the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Rochester Americans last season. Malcolm Subban, who served as Greaves’ backup for Cleveland, made 21 saves in that May 2023 series starter.
Here are the victory lines:
Projected Lineup for Game 1! 📝
– Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) May 30, 2024
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