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The Hershey Bears split-squad shootout at practice got super competitive

By Madeline Dement

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January 4, 2017 7:02 pm

During the Hershey Bears’ Wednesday practice at Giant Center, the team engaged in a split-squad shootout. Normally a drill like this is run of the mill, but for the Bears it got really, really competitive.

Zach Sill’s goal

After being tied in the first part of the shootout, the drill went to extra innings. First to shoot was grinder Zach Sill, who has scored two goals in 93 career NHL games. Sill deked, went forehand-backhand, and roofed the puck into the net. And that’s when things got weird. Team White went wild after the video-game tally. Sill took a flying leap and latched himself onto the glass, trying to climb out of the rink. The joyous team pulled him back down to the ice and continued to celebrate as yet another player tried to scale the plexiglass.

Chris Bourque’s goal

Next up was future AHL Hall of Famer Chris Bourque for Team Black. Bourque, the AHL’s reigning MVP, faked a slapshot, deked, and then rifled a shot to the far corner of the net. Team Black roared and mobbed Bourque at center ice. A Team White player can be heard yelling f&^*$.

Aaron Ness’s goal

After a few rounds of no goals, defenseman Aaron Ness was up for Team Black. Ness, an offensive defenseman, put his team in the lead with a quick snap-and-release from the slot. The boys in Black screamed with delight and celebrated with a big group hug.

Assistant Coach Reid Cashman’s goal

Black’s previous goal meant that if White wanted to stay in the game, they had to score. So they decided to send out assistant coach Reid Cashman, a 33-year-old former AHL player himself. The coach would skate down the middle of the ice and rip a shot home stick side, improbably tying things up. Team White and other spectators went wild, as did Cashman, who can be seen jumping up and down.

Brad Malone’s no-goal

With the game was still tied two rounds later, veteran center Brad Malone shot for Team White and controversy ensued. At first, Team White thought Malone scored in a fashion similar to Cashman. Instead Team Black goalie Vitek Vanecek and his teammates said otherwise, frantically and fervently waving their arms.

Stanislav Galiev’s goal

Finally, Stanislav Galiev skated up to center ice, with the pressure of knowing that the game was on his stick. Galiev skated straight down the middle of the ice and shot the puck top shelf to end the shootout with a win for Team Black. Team Black erupted in a chorus of cheers as they “woo”-ed their way all the way off the ice, followed by a man running after them in shorts and sneakers.

What a bunch of goofs.

All videos from Kyle Mace/Chocolate Hockey.

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