The Hershey Bears completed their four-game road trip out of the All-Star break with a big 3-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday. Puck drop for the “school-day game” was at 11 am.
After the Bears fell behind 2-0, surrendering goals to the Marlies’ Luke Haymes and Alex Nylander, Washington Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko took over. In a 13:39 span, Miro scored twice and had three points total in the Bears’ comeback win.
Miroshnichenko’s first point of the day came on a power-play goal with 1:08 remaining in the second period. Taking a pass from Ilya Protas at the point, Miroshnichenko wheeled around the left circle and fired a snap shot that handcuffed Marlies goaltender Dennis Hildeby.
Ivan Miroshnichenko power-play goal
The Bears then tied the game 2-2, 10:42 into the third period, after Ilya Protas lit the lamp for a team-leading 19th time this season.
Miroshnichenko earned the primary assist after pivoting hard to the net and firing a no-look backhand on Hildeby. The Marlies goaltender made the initial save, but Protas, hiding out at the side of the net, fired the rebound into the yawning cage.
Ilya Protas goal, Ivan Miroshnichenko primary assist
One minute and 49 seconds later, Miroshnichenko deflected a Corey Schueneman shot past Hildeby from just outside the crease to give the Bears their first lead of the game with 7:29 remaining.
Ivan Miroshnichenko game-winning goal
Clay Stevenson would shut things down in the Marlies’ frantic comeback bid and earned the victory, making an AHL career high 39 saves in the 3-2 triumph. Miroshnichenko was named the game’s first star.
The outing marked Miroshnichenko’s second three-point game of the season and his second two-goal game of the year for the Bears.
“He worked, and when he does that, he’s an effective player,” Bears head coach Derek King said, “but he’s got to do that every shift.”
“Not a fun game when it’s at 11 in the morning, but it was a fun win,” Miroshnichenko said per the team. “Any time when I score or give guys an [assist], it’s a good time, but we’re happy to win.”
The Bears finished their road trip 2-2. They’ll return home and face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.
