Pennsylvania

Joe Snively And Mason Morelli Score Twice, Connor McMichael Scores 9th Goal Of The Season, Bears Down Phantoms, 5-2

Photo: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

The Hershey Bears defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 5-2 Wednesday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA. Joe Snively and Mason Morelli each recorded two goals and Connor McMichael scored his 9th goal since returning to the Bears in the decisive win. The Bears record improves this season to 27-8-4-1 (59 points).

RELAY A MESSAGE

Zach Fucale (12-7-2-1, 2.52 GAA, .901 sv%) made the start between the whistles for the visiting Bears. Samuel Erson (10-8-1-0, 2.68 GAA, .911 sv%) got the start in goal for the Phantoms. The forward lines and defensive pairs for the bears:

Mike Vecchione-Mike Sgarbossa-Ethen Frank
Joe Snively – Connor McMichael – Henrik Borgstrom
Mason Morelli-Garrett Pilon-Shane Gersich
Beck Malenstyn – Riley Sutter – Matt Strome

Aaron Ness – Bobby Nardella
Gabriel Carlsson – Dylan McIlrath
Lucas JohansenVinny Iorio

scratch: Hunter Shepard (non-Covid disease), Hendrix Lapierre (non-Covid disease), Henrik Rybinski (non-Covid disease), Sam Anas (abdominal surgery, out indefinitely), Kale Kessy (torso injury), Jake Massie , Julian Napravnik and Logan Day.

Recalls/Reassignments: The Capitals traded goalie Clay Stevenson from ECHL South Carolina to Hershey on Wednesday. The Capitals recalled Aliaksei Protas from Hershey Tuesday, Jan. 17.

FIRST PERIOD

The Bears opened the top scorer with a goal Connor McMichael (9) only 1:15 in the game. Dylan McIlrath (8) and Joe Snively (2) had the helpers.

But the Phantoms responded just over two minutes later with a goal from Elliot Desnoyers (14) at 3:23. Jordy Bellerive (12) and Max Willman (7) had the assists.

That was it for the first 20 minutes. Lehigh Valley led in shots, 7-4. Both teams were 0-1 on the power play in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD

The Bears took the lead again early in midfield with a powerplay goal Joe Snively (4) at 6:47 of the second period. Henrik Borgstrom (12) and Garrett Pilon (9) had the helpers.

The Phantoms ended the game late in the middle frame with a 1:44 goal from Hayden Hodgson (2). Adam Brooks (8) and Kevin Connauton (5) had the assists.

That would be it for the second period. The shots tied in the middle frame 13-13, with Lehigh Valley leading 20-17 after two periods. Hershey was 1-2 and Lehigh Valley 0-1 on the power play after two periods.

THIRD PERIOD

The Bears took the lead again. Joe Snively covered a wrister for his second of the game just 1:00 into the last frame. Dylan McIlrath (9) and Gabriel Carlsson (9) had the assists.

Then it was her Mason Morelli Show. He scored his 6th of the season on the power play midway through the final frame to give the Bears some breathing room. Connor McMichael (8) and Ethen Frank (14) have the helpers.

Mason Morelli He scored his second goal of the game just a few minutes later to make it 5:2. Vincent Iorio (11) and Shane Gersich (8) had the assists.

That would be it as the Bears held on to the 5-2 win.

The same two teams will do it again on Saturday at the PPL Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

SHAVES

  • AHL box score
  • Number of visitors: 5,224
  • Joe Snively had three points.
  • Mason Morelli had two points.
  • Dylan McIlrath had two points.
  • Zach Fucale stopped 20 of 22 shots.
  • Shane Gersich scored his 100th AHL point.
  • The Bears are 6-0 against Lehigh Valley this season.
  • Joe Snively recorded his 100th career pro point.
  • The Bears now have power play goals in seven straight games.
  • Mike Vecchione recorded his 200th professional career point.

About Jon Sorensen

A Caps fan since day one, Jon attended his first game at Capital Center in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades, including his time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist for the team for more than 10 years, mainly focusing on analysis, analysis and prospect development.

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