The Lehigh Valley Phantoms caught the Hershey Bears scrambling in their defensive zone during a delayed penalty and Rhett Gardner scored in front of the net, giving the Phantoms what could have been a deflating 1-0 lead 9:01 into the first period of Game 4.
Unlike in Game 3, however, the Bears answered immediately. Ivan Miroshnichenko scored his first career Calder Cup Playoffs goal 17 seconds later to tie.
Miro was sprung by a breakout pass by defenseman Chase Priskie from behind the net and a tie-up along the boards by Mike Vecchione. Catching the puck clean as it bounced off the side boards, Miroshnichenko raced in all alone on Cal Petersen and beat the Phantoms goaltender with Alex Ovechkin’s patented shootout move, teasing forehand before scoring on his backhand.
Miroshnichenko twirled his finger emulating the goal light after scoring.
The Russian rookie added another goal 2:36 in the second period to give the Bears their first lead of the night, 3-2. Miroshnichenko skated the puck toward the slot and beat Petersen with a wicked wrist shot shortside.
Miroshnichenko was paired with veterans Garrett Roe and Mike Vecchione on the third line and the trio had instant chemistry.
The goals end a cold streak for Miroshnichenko in the AHL where he had only one tally in his last 24 games, regular season and playoffs combined. The goal was his first in the AHL since February 21, 2024 against the Laval Rocket and his first point of the 2024 playoffs in four games.
“He’s earned it,” Ethen Frank said to FOX 43 during the second intermission. “He’s working hard. He’s gone through some struggles statistically wise but, we know we’re going to get a hard game out of him. He’s a big guy. He hits. He plays dirty and he gets under their skin. So it’s good to see him get rewarded.”
Miro also nearly got off the schnide days earlier in Game 2 at Giant Center but bad luck struck there, too.
“The second period, we had the other unit and Miroshnichenko had about three chances, a flurry within ten seconds,” Bears head coach said after that night’s game. “I still don’t understand how the puck didn’t go in.”
Miroshnichenko was stopped by Petersen, hit the post on another attempt, and then had his stick shatter on a one-timer with the net mostly yawning.
