Aliaksei Protas was sent down to the minor leagues on Friday. It didn’t take him long to get back on the scoresheet.
Saturday, Protas scored a power-play goal in the second period to give the Bears a 3-2 lead over the Belleville Senators. Protas took a pass from Alex Alexeyev and fired a one-timer past goaltender Mads Sogaard.
Power play goals are the name of the game today! In his second game back from Washington, Protas connects to put us in front. #HBH pic.twitter.com/b4VuPC28vV
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 13, 2022
Protas also had a sweet dish and registered the primary assist on a Mike Vecchione goal 2:35 into the first period.
After three helpers last night, Mike Vecchione got us started tonight. pic.twitter.com/vjeiHbqthI
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 13, 2022
The two points ended up being Protas’s first multi-point game of the season. Protas centered the second line at even strength and skated with Beck Malenstyn and Kody Clark.
Here's tonight's projected lineup vs. Belleville 👇 pic.twitter.com/SJYE17DDqg
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 12, 2022
The Bears would go on to win 5-4.
A game for the ages – nine goals and a comeback win. The Bears take a 5-4 victory for franchise win 2,993.
Your highlights: pic.twitter.com/CsLZ5bbihy
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) February 13, 2022
Despite being shorthanded for most of the season due to NHL callups, the Bears currently sit third place in the Atlantic Division with a 24-14-3 record. Their 54 standings points are good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. With Joe Snively up with the Capitals, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby paces the Bears with 32 points (14g, 18a) in 36 games.
Hershey’s next game is Sunday against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
