The Hershey Bears defeated the Charlotte Checkers 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, coming back from a 3-1 deficit headed into the third period.
Hershey’s hero was the ever-emerging Andrew Cristall, who scored the game-winning overtime goal 4:14 into the extra session.
With Hershey on a four-on-three power play, Cristall scored from the top of the left circle with a wrist shot, beating a heavily screened Cooper Black to the far side of the net.
The game-winner came shortly after the Bears frittered away a power play earlier in the session after Checkers forward Robert Mastrosimone was called for holding at 1:01. Mastrosimone and Nolan Foote were then subsequently given 10-minute misconducts, effectively ejecting them from the game.
“Usually you don’t get two power plays in overtime, so not good enough by us on the first one to get up shots,” Cristall said per the team. “I thought we had a great screen in front, just throw it there and yeah, went in.”
After Louie Belpedio got the Bears on the board first 4:11 into the game, Hershey surrendered three consecutive goals to the Checkers in the second period: Wilmer Skoog at 2:08, Robert Mastrosimone at 15:32, and Trevor Carrick at 16:25.
But after the second intermission, the Bears immediately got back into the game. After a feed from Cristall, Bogdan Trineyev scored a highlight-reel goal 3:32 into the third period. The Russian forward put the puck through a Checkers defenseman’s legs before curling in front of the net and beating Black to the far post. The tally was Trineyev’s ninth goal of the season.
Capitals defense prospect Ryan Chesley then tied the game up 3-3 with 10:47 remaining in regulation. Chesley joined the rush and scored from the slot after taking a pass from Alex Suzdalev from behind the net, his second primary assist of the game.
“Yeah, I think we knew we were still in the game,” Cristall said. “We had chances and I think we just kind of banded as a team, did the right things, and yeah, it’s a pretty awesome win for us.”
In the locker room after the game, Bears head coach Derek King praised his team .
“Everybody had a part in it,” King said. “I always say to some teams, I’ve had over the years, you guys are just too dumb to quit. And I love it. That’s a gusty f***ing win right there.”
Cristall continues to lead the Bears in points with 30 (7g, 23a) in 35 games. He has eight points over his last six games.
Hershey will rematch Charlotte on Sunday at Bojangles Coliseum.
