The Hershey Bears started their season with seven consecutive losses and were one of the worst teams in the AHL. The team featured a rookie AHL head coach in 36-year-old Spencer Carbery and a roster consisting of many new prospects.
The Bears eventually found their way, winning 11 straight and tallying points in a franchise record 17 consecutive games in February. The Bears’ big second half pushed them into the playoffs where their strong play has continued.
Saturday night, Hershey eliminated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the first round of the playoffs. Capitals’ 2013 sixth-round pick, Brian Pinho, scored in overtime of Game Five to give the Bears the 3-2 win and push Hershey into the Atlantic Division Finals.
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THE GOLDEN GOAL! @bpins_26 #HBH pic.twitter.com/iXUlxHgbDZ
— x – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 28, 2019
Pinho’s overtime goal came 10:27 into overtime. After taking a pass from Garrett Pilon, Pinho raced in alone on a breakaway and beat Sound Tigers’ goaltender Christopher Gibson low to the ice. The Bears mobbed Pinho along the boards as Webster Bank Arena fell silent.
Capitals’ first-round pick Ilya Samsonov, who apparently has ice in his veins, kept the game tied in sudden death, leaving his crease to make a save on future AHL Hall of Famer Chris Bourque.
Chris Bourque almost won the series for Bridgeport here. What a save from Ilya Samsonov. pic.twitter.com/Ds89mwxrIk
— Kyle Mace (@kyle_mace) April 28, 2019
Samsonov, who won two of the three games he started, made 29 saves on the night. He had a .945 save percentage in the first round series.
During regulation, Hershey battled back from two one-goal deficits and never led until they won in overtime.
Bears’ leading scorer Riley Barber scored in the third period to push the game to overtime (2-2).
The Barber Shop is open for business. pic.twitter.com/I36N0dIszC
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) April 28, 2019
Steve Whitney also scored for the Bears in the second period to tie the game 1-1.
12+36+11=Tie game pic.twitter.com/egCbLHi9QY
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) April 28, 2019
The Hershey Bears twitter accounted tweeted “respect” to the Sound Tigers after the game.
Respect, @TheSoundTigers. That was a classic. Respect all across #HBH pic.twitter.com/a7PXaBLLX8
— x – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 28, 2019
SWEET EMOTION #HBH pic.twitter.com/R5TDUhj4hV
— x – Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 28, 2019
The Bears will play the Charlotte Checkers in the second round. The series begins Friday night.
It will be @CheckersHockey and @TheHersheyBears in the Atlantic Division Finals beginning Friday night. #CHAvsHER pic.twitter.com/cdbKLjHgKT
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) April 28, 2019
Full game highlights
Series recap
Atlantic Division Semifinals – (Best-of-5)
A2-Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. A3-Hershey Bears
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 19 – BRIDGEPORT 3, Hershey 2 (2OT)
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 20 – Hershey 2, BRIDGEPORT 0
Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 23 – HERSHEY 2, Bridgeport 1
Game 4 – Thu., Apr. 25 – Bridgeport 3, HERSHEY 2 (OT)
Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 27 – Hershey 3, BRIDGEPORT 2 (OT)
