Josh Dunne’s overtime goal lifted the Hershey Bears to a 4-3 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night at GIANT Center. The goal at 3:30 of overtime completed Hershey’s rally from a 3-1 deficit and marked Dunne’s third game-winning goal of the season.
The game was the 300th regular-season meeting between the two clubs. The Bears improved to 1-1-0-0 in the season series and moved their lifetime record against the Penguins to 154-105-4-26-11.
Bears Rally From 3-1 Deficit
Hugh McGing gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 10:25. Lynden Lakovic tied the game at 1-1 at 14:59 with his fourth goal of the season, taking assists from Theodor Niederbach and Jonny Brodzinski.
Harrison Brunicke put the Penguins back in front with a second-period goal. Avery Hayes then scored shorthanded at 2:14 of the third period to extend Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s lead to 3-1.
Spencer Smallman cut the deficit to 3-2 at 7:07 of the third period, with assists from Andrew Cristall and Theodor Niederbach. Louie Belpedio tied the game at 3-3 at 13:01 after a faceoff win by Josh Dunne.
Overtime Thriller Ends With Dunne’s Winner
Spencer Smallman won a defensive-zone faceoff in overtime and poked the puck ahead. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton goaltender Taylor Gauthier raced out to play the puck into open ice, but Dunne recovered it and fired into an open net at 3:30 of overtime.
Cal Petersen made 26 saves on 29 shots to earn his fifth win of the season. Gauthier stopped 43 of Hershey’s 47 shots, as the Bears established a season high in shots and outshot the Penguins 47-29.
Special Teams and Shots
Hershey went 0-for-6 on the power play, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton converted 1-for-3.
Upcoming Game: Bears Host Charlotte Checkers
The Hershey Bears will host the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at GIANT Center. The game is scheduled to include Belco Kids Night, Mascot Mania and Bears Brunch.
The first 3,000 fans 15-and-under in attendance are scheduled to receive a Coco knit hat courtesy of Belco.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Hershey Bears answered a 3-1 deficit with three consecutive goals and finished the comeback in overtime. Dunne’s late winner, Petersen’s 26 saves and a season-high 47 shots gave Hershey a significant victory in the 300th regular-season meeting with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Source: Original report
